Zubie was glaring at the wood stove, she has wasted the last half hour trying to turn on the cursed stove. But it wasn't working at all. Aurelius was nowhere in view. She gave up, sitting on the stole. She rubbed her face with her hands, trying to think of an alternative to a wood fire stove.
Zubie glanced out of the window, the sun was going down with each passing minute. And she was famished and tired, "I am guessing the wooden stove did not work."
Aurelius was standing in the doorway, smiling at her suffering. He tied his arms around himself and raised a brow, Zubie spoke, "oh no, it was a complete success, I've already eaten, thank you for asking." the blatant sarcasm in her words made him chuckle.
"You have never started a fire, everyone should know how to start a fire. It's the first step to surviving in the woods." he came closer to the stove and started rearranging the twigs. He was sitting on his knees, Zubie's complete attention was on his hands. She was engraving the process in her mind. Not a moment after, the fire was lit. He was feeling smug at his work, "see, it isn't difficult."
"I get it, you'll be starting fires from this day."
"I was hoping for you to learn through my practical demonstration but okay." he stands up and strolled to her side, "I am not looking forward to offending you but you got soot all over your face."
"What!?"
"Let me help you with that," Aurelius grabbed a paper towel laying over the wooden table.
"Stay still." He requested, bending to eye level with the girl.
Zubie kept quiet, Aurelius's hand came to rest on her jaw. She shivered at the touch, his hands were ice cold. His concerned gaze met hers, he whispered, "what's wrong?"
She whispered back, "I don't think you realize but your hands are cold as ice."
He smiled, wiping the soot off of her cheek.
"Sometimes I forget how cold I am, not alive, remember?"
"I get it," Zubie broke the eye contact with him, her gaze moving to the fire lighting the room.
"Why are these spots not coming off?" he asked her, his voice laced with worry.
"What spots?!" Zubie was alarmed.
"These brown ones..." he stroked the spot just below her eyes, "weird they are engraved into your skin."
"Aurelius, these are freckles..." Zubie said as a matter of fact.
"I know," he grinned, pulling his hand off.
"Was that your attempt to joke?"
"Yes, see I can be humorous."
"Sure, Casper the friendly ghost." Zubie was teasing him.
His expression turned into a serious one, Aurelius said, "who is Casper? Do you know other ghosts too?"
Zubie bit her lip, trying to hold in her laughter, "yes, he is my best friend,"
"Can I meet him?" he spoke sincerely, "I've never met another ghost before."
"Yes, of course, you can meet him and do whatever ghosts do." Zubie adds after a pause, "what do you do all day anyway?"
"Nothing particular," he turned on his heels, "you should probably cook something for yourself, I'll leave you to it." Aurelius disappeared down the hallway, leaving her wondering what must have been the reason for his sudden departure.
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The bed she was given was comfortable to an extent. But she still stayed wide awake thinking about the choices that she has made so far. The amethyst glimmering on her wrist, reading the fate of its wielder. Zubie did not know anything about magic or sorcery. But here she was, trying to find a way to defeat a madman with years of experience in the field.
Zubie was certain if she did not make the right decision, she will end up dead and that was not an uncertainty but a fact. After hours of contemplating she finally fell asleep.
In the morning, she decided to at least clean the wing she was staying in. Aurelius was nowhere to be found. After a while of cleaning and dusting the place, she was shocked to see Abram standing awkwardly by the entrance.
"What are you doing here?"
"I've come to help you clean and repair this place." Abram said, holding a tool kit, "I saw the condition of this place and you are living here all by yourself. There are nasty wild animals nearby in the woods." he scratched his head.
"I'm sorry but I don't have enough cash to pay for the labor ---"
Abram exclaimed, "wow, I don't need money. I just thought it will be a nice housewarming gesture to help you..."
"Are you sure? This house is pretty big, it is a hefty task you are asking for." Zubie inquired, eying him curiously.
"Yes, I am sure." his eyes gleaming with determination, "Can I come in now?"
"Of course," Zubie moved aside, giving him space to move in, "As you can see, it isn't going to be an easy task, the only places I want the repairing in are the kitchen, the bathroom, and the bedroom."
"I should start working, now shouldn't I?" Abram placed the tool kit on the table, "are you going to watch me do the repairs or what..."
Zubie was not paying attention to him, she was looking out into the garden, he spoke, "are you alright?"
Surprised, she looked at Abram, "what were you saying?"
"I said are you going to stand there---"
"Oh no, I have work to do, you can start whenever you like." Zubie left him to his devices. What a strange girl...
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"Hey! Aurelius! Wait right for me!" Zubie was running after him, the ghost man tilted his neck to look back at her. His face was unreadable, "what are doing here walking all by yourself?"
"Nothing particular." he simply answered and started walking in the direction of the Garden Zubie was yet to see.
"The Flowers have withered," She spoke.
"There was no one to look after them, was it a surprise?" his tone was straightforward, and there was no hint of Aurelius from last night.