Opposite to Den's all riled up behaviour, Stella was calm as she said, "Why, I can see that you're hungry. And there's no point denying it.
I'm not saying you're an animal, you are who you are. And if this is the only thing you can have, no one should blame you for that."
Den looked at Stella for a long time. How could this little girl in such a beaten up stage, be so nonchalant about offering her own blood.
He said, "You know?"
Stella nodded, "Of course I know."
Den: "How?"
Stella: "That's a long story for after we've both eaten."
Den looked at Stella's exposed shoulder full of bandages for a minute before saying, "I don't do this."
Stella raised an eyebrow, "Huh? So you mean to tell me you didn't take a drink when you found me, wherever you did."
Den began to get riled up again, "You....you can't blame me for that. Your blood was everywhere, and....and I...."
Stella motioned him to sit down and said, "I am not blaming you. All I'm asking is that you feed so that we can have a proper conversation without you getting distracted by my presence and me with your gaze."
Den calmed down a lot after hearing this.
He looked at Stella for a minute before saying, "I'll be back very soon."
Stella shrugged, "Don't worry. It's not like I'm running away. Not in this condition."
Den stood up and walked out. "And finish your food." Throwing these words over his shoulder, he was gone.
Stella's tensed body relaxed as she scooped a spoon of vegetable soup. "I guess he is not as bad as those five. He controlled himself, didn't he? Even in front of me."
Stella had finished her soup and milk and was getting sleepy again when Den came back. He sat on the bedside, looking a lot more relaxed now, his eyes a deep red and body less tense.
He helped Stella lay down and said, "So."
Stella: "You go first, where did you find me?"
Den: "I found you in Mishi river. It flows just outside and you were washed ashore, unconscious and half dead. My turn, how did you end up in Mishi river?"
Stella: "I jumped. Where are we?"
Den sighed. He had not asked his question elaborately and had gotten a two word answer. He said, "We're in my cottage."
Stella sighed and said, "This is taking us nowhere. First you tell me exactly where we are and then I'll tell you my whole story."
Den nodded and began, "As I told you, we're in my cottage. It's on the bank of Mishi river on the edge of Makhuta. There's forest all around and the city of Makhuta is only a little while away. Anything else?"
Stella shook her head and said, "Not really. Seeing that I can barely get out of bed, I don't really care where I am?"
Den seemed a little worried, "Do you want to be shifted to a hospital? I can arrange that."
Stella shook her head, "This place is safer than a hospital."
Seeing that Den seemed taken aback, Stella chuckled, "Surprised? You will understand once you hear my story."
And she began.