Chapter 137A Hug that Holds

Nuru fed him most of a large bowl of soup. It reminded me so much of being ill myself, when my mother fed me soup as well to keep me fed and warm. Hitori's breathing was truly calm now, just sleeping. But we were all still in very wet clothes and I very much wanted to do something about that. But there were so many annoying problems.

I didn't have any clothes for myself or for him to cover us. But maybe Faith had some.

I looked up, turning to where I hoped Faith was standing. "Faith?"

"Yes?" I adjusted my direction slightly.

"Do you have some simple dry clothes for me, Hitori and Nuru? Just pants and shirts should be enough. Oh, and a few towels?"

"I'm sure I have something appropriate. I'll be right back." Her footsteps leaving the room, the door opening and closing.

I smiled. One problem solved, now for the other, more difficult problem. It was a problem for me to think of where to have Hitori sleeping. On the one hand I wanted him to sleep near me, so he would wake up and find me. But I wondered if that was a good idea. I knew he was not going to harm me, but how would it be for him to find me in an almost coma if he would wake during the day?

Unless of course Nuru was nearby to help him understand and freak out less.

I knelt beside her, my hand resting on HItori's chest.. "Nuru, do you think you could carry him?"

"I'm sorry, Miss Amy. I don't think I'm strong enough for that."

So that meant we had to do it the hard way.

"It's no problem, it means I will have to carry him and listen to you very carefully as we walk through the corridors. Think you can do that?"

She giggled. "Of course, Miss Amy."

I wondered. "Nuru, have you had enough to eat?"

"Yes I have, Miss Amy. The meal this afternoon was quite abundant and I ate some bread while I was making the soup."

A smile wandered across my lips. "You're very resourceful, Nuru."

She must have blushed. "Th-Thank you, Miss Amy."

It was good to hear her become more and more human. She was thinking more for herself, even if she still behaved like a slave. But my affliction, my eyes, was really helping as well. It made her feel like she was someone I needed to be there, instead of someone who owed her existence to me. I could understand her feelings, she had always been treated as a slave so she felt she needed to pay me for my choice to rescue her. In the only way she knew how.

But most of all I wanted her to be free. Yet... I did know somehow that it wasn't easy for a slave to become free. A life of servitude is not easily forgotten. Though you can grow into a more self-thinking person, it takes time. A lot of time. The changes in Nuru so far were quite impressive. But they were the big, easy changed. All the little things, the layers upon layers of thinking underneath, would change as well. But that would probably take much longer.

I gave Nuru a hug.

It came out of nowhere for her. Maybe she thought I was going to bite her, but I just held her as a thankful friend. She had done so much for me today, even when my mind had been playing dangerous games as I was asleep.

She gave in and returned my hug. After a few moments I could feel her smiling. She was emanating her feelings to me willingly, wishing to share how she felt. And it was light. Pure warm light. She felt happy, thankful... In the right place.

Faith returned and giggled. "I've got all the clothes and towels for you. It should be enough."

I released Nuru. "Thank you. Nuru will carry them and guide me with Hitori."

She didn't reply, she must have had her own thoughts already on where Hitori would be sleeping. I wondered if she smirked then decided she probably did. A smile fluttered across my lips.

I got up and moved my hands a little over Hitori's body, mostly to know where his knees and shoulders were. I pushed my hands under him and lifted him with relative ease. Sometimes it was convenient to be strong. I turned around slowly, holding him so his head would lean against my chest, waiting expectantly for Nuru to guide me.

Nuru led the way, me following her closely and guided by her words on corners and doorways. Turn left, step sideways, turn right, step forward, a little back. I was almost having fun too. Kind of like a game where you have to walk through a maze you can't see. And someone else can.

Almost.

But that adventure, fortunately, lasted only for a short time as we arrived back in the large room. I had to wait and stand still while Nuru cleared the floor and the desk a bit more for me to lay Hitori on, as not to make the bed wet as well.

My thoughts got back into gear again.

Now came the more difficult part.