Chapter 31Where Few Words are Spoken

I wanted to answer but Valerie spoke first. "So you know who we are." It was a statement, not a question.

"Yes, and what you are. Those stupid people would call you damned ones." Her voice was almost sweet, so child-like. But it was wrong on many levels. It seemed too controlled. Too cold.

I just stared at her, her body seemed completely normal, if a bit pale. The moonlight making her even more pale and giving a silver gleam to her white-blond hair. She was beautiful in the way a porcelain doll was beautiful. All stone, no depth.

"What are you?" I asked, cutting off Valerie.I didn't feel at all comfortable with her presence. Despite her body almost making me feel I should protect her.

She looked up. "I don't think we have time for introductions." She looked at us. "Do you have somewhere I could shower and sleep?"

I didn't know what to say. I looked at Valerie who glanced at me before looking, staring at the girl. She seemed to reach a decision.

She took a phone from somewhere on her person and dialed a number quickly. I could only hear half of the conversation, but I had a pretty good idea what was going on.

"Kai, it's me, Val" ... "No, we'll hear about that later, I need you to find a place for someone to stay for a night at least." ... "uhuh. Yeh, but she's 15, so hotels are a bit difficult." ... "No, just something simple for a night." ... "Yeah, that'll do, where?"..."Alright thanks."

"We have a place for you to stay, but we can't guard you until tomorrow evening." Valerie spoke as if this was a big deal.

She nodded. "It won't be a problem." Again her frail voice were in discord with her cool words.

we walked toward the gate and wondered what would be easier. Help her over or let her lick the lock. But she didn't. I guess it was easier if we just lifted her over. The gate wasn't that high.

So Valerie lifted her up and held her like a baby. She jumped over the gate awkwardly but safely and put her down. Isabel never said a word. I jumped after them and mentally waved goodbye to the church. Something about it made me look around again. I thought I noticed someone looking from the bell-tower, just a suggestion of a glint of an eye.

I shrugged. I probably imagined it. A bit on edge with everything that happened. I could easily imagine all those brothers hidden around here, following us. As if they hunted us actively. Although...

It had seemed as if them finding this girl was mostly accidental. Just a little bump they rode over. I tried to make sense of everything.

We walked. Past the richer houses and into town. We walked past the streets and I looked around. She still wore her old, torn clothing. I poked Valerie.

"We can't continue like this. She needs clothes."

Valerie nodded, as if she had been thinking the same. "Just something simple though."

I giggled. "Of course, only one of us can look as cute as you." I stuck out my tongue, using humor to relief some of the tension.

Valerie laughed. "Alright alright. I'll lighten up." She kept giggling for a moment and smiled.

"Isabel, why did you go with those men." I asked.

"She would be there." Looking toward Valerie.

"She? Valerie?" I replied.

She nodded.

It felt like we could ask no more. Valerie never turned around. As if she didn't hear, want to hear or reply to all of this. I noticed it, as it were, in passing. But we arrived in the busier center and it was time to buy something.

We stood outside a cheap clothing store, wondering if we should take her with us inside or have one of us stand outside with her. We decided to take her with us. It was easier.

The store was a labyrinth of clothes-bins. The path to the cash register was not easy, as if they wanted to keep you in the store as long as possible. So you'd always see some other stuff and think 'oh, I might take that with me.' Fluorescent lighting hanging from the ceiling, surprisingly all in good order and of course the inevitable peg boards, forming short walls with some clothes on display.

I smiled, I usually just went and bought what I needed and paid. Nothing more.

We went deeper into the store, got a few t-shirts, some underwear, cheap bras even though she didn't seem to need them yet. Two jeans and some socks. The only thing they didn't have here were shoes. But there was a cheap sportswear store next door.

We payed for the clothes and went into the sport-wear store. Bought some shoes and a small backpack for her to keep everything in. She didn't look thankful. Said nothing the whole time. It was creepy.

I guess on a certain level she did appreciate us taking care of her body. But that was about it. No thanks needed or something. This was how it is. in a way I realized it, but it felt odd. Appreciation for taken effort is something we kind of crave subconsciously.

Valerie was almost as quiet as she was. Talking only when needed. Maybe even less then that.

We headed to a street a few blocks away. The cheap part of town. One of those multi-story houses. Like an apartment-building but everyone owned one floor. The top floor was empty. A bed was about the only furniture in it next to perhaps the really dark curtains. We gave her some money for food and the key to the doors. We left her without a word. As if everything was done by an unspoken agreement.

It was hard for me not to speak.

Valerie and me left the building. Valerie moved to walk back toward our home but I stopped her.

"What is this all about?" I had a feeling she wouldn't say much, but I had to ask, if only for myself.

"I..." She started. "I may know her..."