The feeling of warmth and tenderness made Shakila unable to awaken from her sleep. It's been along time since the last time she felt how comfy the bed was. Shakila doesn't want to lose the opportunity to continue her sleep and begin to snuggle into the pillow and hug it close to her body.
"Ung…"
The unfamiliar voice caused her a little confusion. Actually, Shakila was partially awake, she was sure that she heard an animal voice, but she was a little perplexed because she didn't have any pets in her house.
A pet?
Shakila recalled all of the memories from yesterday and immediately awake from her sleep. The fallen blanket from her body gave her awkwardness. In this hut, there's only one blanket that she already gave to the fainted man.
"Already up?"
She was startled by unexpected voice, and slowly turned her head to see in the direction of the sound. That was the man who asked her questions while he sat in front of the fireplace with his clothes open, exposing his wounded body.
The dim light that comes out of the fireplace gives Shakila a strong impression of the man. She can tell how cautious he is, and of course, regret always comes to her.
"It seems that my wolf really like you."
Shakila was a taken aback by the man's abrupt statement. Then she looked at the wolf, who now comfortably rested his head on Shakila's thigh.
The man asked, "Did you save me?"
Her heart was racing. Shakila only nodded her head in agreement because she was unable to speak.
"You've good skill."
"No, that's just first aid." She said that, immediately denied what the man had said, and faced away.
Despite without saying anything, the man smirked as though he knew Shakila was hiding something. "Well, thanks to you, now I'm still alive. I owe you."
Shakila was shivered by his last words. After saving the man, she didn't expect any benefits; instead, she wished to keep away from him.
"You have to say that to Buddy. He's the one who asked to save you."
"Buddy?"
Shakila is embarrassed. "I mean this wolf."
The man chuckled. He hadn't expected his wolf receiving a new moniker. "You've got good taste, kid, when it comes to naming things."
Kid?
Shakila was briefly stunned. Is she looking like a kid here? She doesn't sure if it's good or bad, but if Shakila is the beneficiary of this false impression, she will able to automatically avoid them as soon as the blizzard is over.
I must take this risk!
"Then, what's the wolf name, sir?"
"Neal."
"That's a good name." Shakila gently stroked Neal's head; she could see how comfortable he was, and kept patting his head. "His eyes are like the sky."
The man was giving her an odd look. His wolf, Neal, appears at ease by Shakila's side and rarely treats strangers in that manner. As long as he knows, Neal is always aware of people and shows his teeth to frighten them.
"How about you, kid?"
Shakila's eyes were looking at him with a questioning look.
"I mean, what's your name?"
"It's…" Shakila is perplexed. Does she need to introduce herself? She didn't anticipate the man asking her name. "Kila. My name Kila."
The man nodded. "So, Kila. How did you tamed that guy?"
"Huh? That's…"
Shakila could feel the sweat dripping from her clinched fists. She's worried. Should Shakila said that she discovered Neal in injured state and heal him? No, the wound marks already gone now.
What should I do?
Shakila's nibbled the bottom of her lips. There is only the sound of a fireplace while the man waits for her response.
"I…"
Grooowl!!
Shakila was so ashamed she could feel the warmth on her face once a growl broke the awkward silence between them. However, the dim lighting didn't disturbed the man enough to prevent him from observing Shakila's expression.
The man's laughter cracked even more when he saw Shakila's face, which combined expressions of annoyance and embarrassment.
"You must need to eat after dragging me thus far to the hut, right?"
"How did you know?"
"Brat, there's some dirt in my hair."
"Ha ha…I apologize. I'm not strong enough to carry you."
The man stood up and walked over to the storage unit where Shakila had found the blanket. He then gave Shakila a baguette and sat a little bit closer to her.
"Here. It can be eaten. I've discovered just now."
"Sir, how about you?"
The man doesn't respond, and instead places a piece of baguette in Shakila's mouth. "Just eat,"
Naturally, Shakila chewed the baguette and start to bite another one. However, something kept coming to her mind.
How many hours have I been sleep?
The single question troubled Shakila. That implies that the man had previously looked around when she was sound sleep. Shakila considered asking the man, and before she could act, a loud noise frightened her.
"Urgh!"
Shakila ran over to the man right away too seeing his condition. It can be seen that the blood is seeping out of the bandages. After she's unwrapping it, the wound has already opened up full with blood. A sharp gaze fell on the man, made him looking away as if he been caught off guard.
"What were you doing while I slept?"
"Well, just look around, and I bring you nearer the fireplace."
Shakila rubbed the medicine vigorously into the man's wound while purposefully pressing on his wound to make him groan in pain.
"Ouch! Kid, please be kind. I'm very sensitive right now."
The bandages were tightly pulled. "You should've let me be!"
"Gosh, I'm on the verge of death and now you torture me."
Shakila ignored the man's complaints and concentrated on bandaging his abdomen. The man, on the other hand, calmly observed the girl. He turned his head slightly to look at the girl face, which was serious enough to be of assistance for him.
"So, are you not curious about me, kid?"
Her hands paused for a moment. "Regarding what?"
"Don't act foolish. You understand what I mean."
She sighed. Didn't anticipate the man asking her about it. "Well, I had merely assumed that you were either mercenaries, hunters, or somewhat associated with them."
"Is that it?"
"Yeah."
The man grinned. "You should increase your curiosity, kid."
Shakila smiled to him. "You know, Mr. Hunter, that curiosity can kill you."
"Is that warning?"
"No. Just an advice."
Shakila stood up and patted her pants from dust. The atmosphere became heavier than before, as she was about to step a back from the man, a strong vibration followed afterwards. The scenario immediately turned uncomfortable when loud screams heard fairly close by.
It's a monster.