Chapter 4

She carefully placed the baskets down as her fingers sorted through the food. There had to be something in here she could feed him. With a sigh he fingers finally fell on a container of mashed potato’s. She quickly pulled it out as well as the BBQ chicken. She knew he might not be able to chew but she would break the pieces up quite small he wouldn’t need to but his body would at least get some protein.

Alaska whined happily as she watched her mom pull apart the chicken ever so gently. She wanted a piece, it looked so deliciously juicy. She really didn’t know what it was but it looked good and that all that mattered to her. She smiled looking over at her puppy watching her. With a firm grasp she pulled off a bigger piece and threw it over. Alaska quickly jumped on it and began to bark happily. The taste was something she never tasted before.

Getting the fire going once more she placed some of the mashed potato’s and chicken onto a rock close by the flames. She was hoping to heat them up a bit. The mashed potatoes would be a little easier to swallow as they would become mushy. Also she didn’t think he deserved to eat a cold meal. He has been through so much. With a frown here eyes fell on the man she was looking after. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully to which angered her she would have to wake him. She knew it couldn’t be helped. His body needed fuel to fight, and the only way to get it into him would be for him to swallow it.  

When she felt the potato’s where warm enough she put them back into a container and mixed in the chicken pieces. She made sure they where ripped up to almost swallow size. She didn’t want to inconvenience him if he couldn’t chew. She knew potato’s could be mushed with the tongue before swallowing. Chicken had to be chewed unless small enough. With a smile on her face, and her eyes on the container of food she sat down close to him. His eyes where on her the moment she began to put the contents back into the container. They fell on her curves, her hair, but mostly her face. She was so similar to his Angel but yet so different. His girl would never had tied her blond hair up in anything but a pony. Here this women was supporting a French braid. A streak of red, outlining her stressed face. His Angel was never stressed, everything use to role off her shoulders like water. Her lips, her eyes and the way he touched her was all his Angel’s.

A gasp escaped her lips as his eyes on her startled her. They where beautiful and mesmerizing. The gold specs where so small in the mix of olive green and green. Something told her she had seen them before. But the memory could not be found. She had to brush it off, he needed to eat. With him being awake she didn’t have to wake him which made her smile.

“Its not much, just some potato’s and chicken. You need to eat it though.” She spoke like heaven to him. Her voice was so close to his Angel’s how could he say no. He slowly nodded but winced in pain. The 2 x 4 to the back of the head a few weeks ago must not have fully healed. Her cold hand soothed his warm forehead as his eyes closed gently with the contact. It felt so good, he whined as it left. She placed her hand back on his forehead as fear took over. He was running a fever. She quickly rose, despite the agony her knees where giving her and raced for a few things.

The forest began to look alive as the creatures began to run around her. In her panicked state she couldn’t think strait as the trees took the pot from her. The out it in the hands of raccoons, the birds taking the cloths to the river where the beavers where waiting to soak them and pass them back. She smiled happily before going back to her spot by the man.

“Anya,” He struggled to say. She stared at him confused. How did this man know her name. Well she cant really say it was her name she didn’t know. It was a trinket on her neck when she woke up in the hospital. They all just assumed it was.

“How do you know my name?” She finally was able to ask. He looked at her confused. What was wrong with her? Was she that mad, she forgot him? He couldn’t stop the questions in his mind causing him to get worked up. She quickly grabbed a cloth from the sparrow and placed it on his forehead. “Its me, I’m Anya.”

“How?” He tried to speak again but he just couldn’t. He coughed causing her to panic some more. She didn’t know what to do, her fear mixing with his own. Alaska came racing in and plopped in her moms lap. Her nose snuggling into her neck. This broke Anya, it broke her fear as confusion set in. Taking a deep breath she realized she was having a panic attack, something she hadnt had in a while. Taking another breath she held Alaska close as she laid down close to the man. She didn’t know if it would work the same but she had to try. He needed to calm down.

“I’m right here. Nothing will happen to you.” She cooed out causing an instant calmed to spread over to him. His eyes fluttered close for a moment as he focused on his  breathing. Anya locked her fingers with his hoping this would help. She could fill the place Anya had if she had to. Anything to get him better so he could return to his Anya. Alaska snuggled to his face, her head laying on his chest as Her mommy rose and put another log on the fire. She walked back over and changed the cloth as another sparrow swooped in. “now you must eat something.”

“Yes,” He gently spoke as he opened his mouth slightly. She scooped small amounts onto the spoon before feeding him. She took it slow allowing him to breath  a bit between each bite. She would change the cloth on his head every time the sparrows would bring it till it got to late. Soon the raccoons had brought over the pot full of water to which she would dip a cloth before changing it.

She stayed awake for hours trying to help him break the fever. She changed the bandages for the last time before she would have to go into town for some more. She would do that in the morning, once she knew his fever would break. She ate a little bit but focused on the fire and him. She wasn’t going to lose him. Even though dark she was able to find Viola Odorata (Violet) plant to which she removed the flower. Taking it back to the camp she quickly dries it before adding it to some boiling water. She carefully fed it to him hoping she wasn’t burning him as he drank it.

As the sun began to peak over the horizon his fever broke. Exhausted she flopped close by him as her body sat limp. Her eyes falling on his face, despite the malnutrition he was very handsome. His long hair could use a trim but his Anya was a very lucky women to have him. She sighed as she allowed her body to lay on the ground. She needed some sleep before she headed out to town for supplies. As he head lay in her arms she was wide awake. After a few minutes of trying she just got up.

“No use trying if it’s not going to come.” She spoke to no one in particular. Shifting through her stuff she found her wallet and began to truck through the forest. A little chickadee her guide this morning. Her beautiful chips bringing joy to the young women as she smiled her way into town.

The busy bustle of the streets didn’t bother her, she was use to it. Her ex made her walk everywhere for groceries and would only grab her when there was to much to carry home. The city was much to her memory, a few large groceries stores. It wasn’t to early as the children happily bounced in the parents car on the way to school. Anya sighed, she had a fancy brand new 2000 Mercedes that was taken from her with the divorce, she didn’t care though. Something about her small forest adventure that feels better.

Anya smiled as she walked down the street to the small medical store. The short time she had been here she was ready to leave, the busy bustle of the city wasn’t for her. She cant believe she lived here for so many years. The forest was calling her home and she wanted to go but the man needed these supplies.

“Welcome to Bandages and Supplies…..oh my god Anya.” The brown curly haired women cried as she came around the office door. Anya looked up and smiled seeing one of the only other people she talked to.

“Hi Cindy.” She gently smiled as she walked up to her. Cindy didn’t hesitate to wrap her large arms around Anya's petite body. Cindy was no small women, Anya swore she was trying to become a female sumo wrestler. Though large she was not one to mess with. Cindy was very strong and could out run a child if she wanted to.

“Marcus is such and ass. He is getting what is coming to him.” Cindy smiled happily once she let Anya go. Just the mention of the name caused the pain of the divorce to come back. The tears began to trickle and there was no way to stop them. Anya tried to hid them but Cindy was to quick to see. Wrapping her arms once more around her she said. “Oh sis I’m sorry. I forgot how much pain this was on you. I promise my bastard brother will pay for hurting such a sweet heart.”

“I just want to forget him, move on and be happy.” Anya whispered.

“And you should.” Cindy said happily. She had been there from day one with Anya, they became good friends and it did hurt Anya she would be leaving her behind. “What brings you in as I know it wasn’t to see me.”

“I’m leaving Cindy, I’m not coming back.” Anya confessed quickly. Her fingers folded into the hem of her shirt as she stood there waiting to here what Cindy had to say.

“You go Anya, you go where you heart is telling you to go.” She smiled happily. “Just remember me here and call me when you can. Your my sis Anya and that will never change.”

“I’m going to miss you.” Anya smiled glad she got her friends blessing to go.

“Hey come on there is a payphone in ever city and I’m sure when you find your happy place you will buy a house and get a phone line. I’ll need that number you know.” Cindy chuckled happily.

“I also need some medical supplies.” Anya spoke gently. “I found a man badly hurt and by the way he is marked up I cant take him to the hospital.”

“You found him?” Cindy spoke up now worried for her. “The other day two men in lab coats came in asking questions.”

“He cant go back to them. Cindy they will kill him.” Anya spoke defensive. Thought it wouldn’t matter she would make sure they never got him.

“He’s that bad?” Cindy spoke gently causing Anya to nod. Cindy took a second before she began to gather things. Anya watched her as she ripped around the store gathering everything. She rang it through as she began to write notes. Cindy was  very detailed about each thing and how to use it. Anya listed carefully as she explained but happily took the notes as well.

“I owe you big time.” Anya said as she tucked her wallet into one of the many bags Cindy packed her.

“It wont last forever but it should get you through a few days.” Cindy spoke trying to hold back the tears. Anya went to complain but Cindy silenced her. “No women puts this much effort into caring for a man and not fall in love with them.”

“Thank you for everything Cindy.” Anya smiled.

“Wait.” Cindy cried running to the back. She came out with a bag of quarters. “Take this with you. It’s so you can call me.”

“But Cindy this is the bag you have been saving.” Anya protested. Cindy’s mom loved going to poker night. To play you had to have quarters. Cindy had been saving up to give her mom a huge bag for her birthday. The only thing was she wasn’t aloud to buy them. She had to get them in her change which was difficult.

“Don’t worry. Your more important then moms poker nights. Plus she has quite a few still.” Cindy smiled happily as they embraced each other one last time. Anya smiled as she walked out of the store happily waiting to see what her future was to hold. She was happy for once stepping into the unknown future. Well that was until she collided with the hard body of a scientist. He looked down at her with suspicion.

“Good day ma’am. Playing the roll of mummy are we?” He asked looking at the bandages she was carrying in bags.

“I see a man that thinks assumptions are the way in life.” Anya spoke disgusted. The partner laughed, for it was true.

“Where is a lady such as yourself going with so much.” He asked ignoring bother her comment and his partners laughter. His main focus was finding the man that was lost.

“I am going on a 30 day pilgrimage through the forest. My friend suggested I take this stuff as I am very clumsy.” Anya spoke true to herself. It wasn’t an exact lie. She was clumsy and she was going for a walk through the forest. How long? Well that was the lie.

“We are very sorry to bother you miss.” The partner spoke trying to push the other away.

“You find a man in those forest, you be careful.” The first spoke like he was speaking to her sole. His brown eyes held hers strong. “He is a killer.”

“There are more in that forest that will kill me then a man.” Anya spoke as she kept walking. The wire feeling that had the hair on the back of her neck standing up slowly disappeared. No one was getting to the wounded man she was caring for. No one, he was going to return to his Anya.

The walk back was slow and quiet. She had to stop and purchase another wagon. If the men she saw today where indeed after the man she was caring for there was no way she wanted to be around for that. The wagon she had wouldn’t hold him nicely plus with all there stuff she needed the two. It took some time to assemble but by mid day the lad at Canadian Tire had her on her way. He took his break to help her put it together. She thanked him pulling the blue wagon behind her, a smile aglow on her face. He though he saw an Angel but no one believed him.

The forest guided her back to him, to there camp and most of all to the happy bundle of fur that jumped into Anyas arms the moment she stepped into the clearing. Holding her tight she giggled happily when Alaska licked her face. He gently smiled at her giggle. It was so peaceful and calming. He would be happy to hear it all day long if he could. He knew he shouldn’t get use to this. God will rip her from him the moment he is healed. He wanted to cherish these moments with her.

“I got some new bandages.” She gently spoke as she stepped closer to him. “We can change the old ones.”

“Anya.” He whispered gently. She smiled at him knowing if she didn’t he might panic again like last time.

“Your safe I promise. I’m right here.” Anya spoke gently as they began to work on his bandages.