The Keeper

chapter 3

I caught a glimpse of myself in a shop window as I crept around buildings like a criminal. My already small 5-foot frame was scrawnier, my skin had a sallow look to it, and my eyes looked to be sunken into my face. I looked as hopeless as I felt searching for scraps. All that running has expended all energy I had; I end up sliding down the wall next to the last bin I searched but to no avail, I close my eyes just for a minute or so I thought.

“Hey kid, it’s time to wake up.” I heard a man’s voice rousing me

“C’mon up ya get kid, you can’t sleep here” He said

“Ok, ok” I stumbled to my sore feet to see a mountain of man with red hair and a bushy red beard in front of me.

“Geez kid, you alright?” his eye almost bugged out when he saw my state properly.

“Yeah, I’m good. I’ll move on, sorry.” I groaned as I started to move off the wall. Darkness is falling; I must have slept all day.

“No way, C’mon, well get ya cleaned up and fed. Hell, it looks like you could do with a few good feeds.” He looked me up and down with concern.

I looked at him with suspicion. Why would a stranger help me.

“Names Mickey. My old lady can fix up those feet of yours bud, what’s ya's name?” He kept looking at my feet

“Lester... I mean Celeste, it's Celeste.” I said without thinking.

“Ok then, either way, if you haven’t anywhere to go, follow me, and we’ll sort ya out.

I nodded to him and followed as he asked; it was only a short walk when he stopped in front of a bar. It was a rustic looking place, something one might see in a medieval picture book. The sign said “The Secret Place”. Thank the goddess there wasn’t anyone in there yet, except at the bar stood the most beautiful woman, her long silver hair laid straight down her slender body. Her face was dainty with plump pink lips and deep brown eyes that exuded empathy.

Once she saw Mickey enter her face, he lit up with happiness

“Hello handsome, you’re late, but I will forgive you if …” she stopped speaking when she noticed me

“Who is the poor child? Where did you find her, honey?” She dropped what was in her hands and made her way to us.

When she reached me, I was wrapped in the warmest embrace I have ever felt in my life, as if the world had fallen around us and it was just me and her. What is this?

“She said her name is Celeste; reckon she could do with a feed and then some medical care gorgeous. What do you fancy eating, Celeste?”

“Whatever is easy and quick, and then I’ll get out of your hair. Thank you.”

“Got places to be, I see, I’ll be right back.” He said, walking through a set of swinging doors.

“Well little one, let me get a look at you. My name is Sage, and I can help you with your injuries if you wish.” Sage gently guided me to the stairs.

Upstairs was beautiful, there were plants everywhere, and I mean everywhere. It was almost like a jungle, in amongst the plants were shelves of small bottles of every colour. We moved through to the lounge room, where the comfiest looking dark purple sofa was. I swear it was calling my name like a long-lost friend. I sat down with a heavy sigh and finally felt like I could relax a little and not worry so much about being found.

“Alright my love, I’m going to get my kit and see to your feet first. They seem to be suffering the most.” Sage left the lounge room, but I could still hear her pottering around in the next room until she came back with an old brown leather bag that was making a lot of ‘clinking’ sounds.

She sat on the ottoman in front of me and gestured to my feet, so I gave them to her, I don’t know why, but I feel completely comfortable with Sage. She gently applied a salve that cooled the stinging substantially.

“Any more cuts or anything I need to look at?” she asked when done with my feet

I simply shook my head, I might be comfortable with her, but I don’t want to intrude any further and I’m not really used to talking with people, I make the choice to eat quickly and then make my way to wherever I need to go. The voice said I would get all the answers when I got where I needed to be, though I still haven’t heard it since I still trust it.

“If you’re sure then, would you like something to drink? Sage looks at me like she knows my inner most secrets.

A drink of water would be so amazing right now. My lips are dry and cracked, and I feel a headache from dehydration coming on.

“Yes, water would be great. Thank you for this, too.” I gestured to my now almost healed feet.

“W…what did you use? They’re almost better already.” I asked, astonished. Wolves heal fast, but I don’t have mine yet, so I can’t heal that quickly.

“It’s a family secret, tried and true.” Sage had a giant smile plastered on her face as she went to the kitchen to get the water.

Footsteps could be heard coming up the stairs, with the door opening the most delicious smell wafted to me and my mouth watered. Mickey came through with food. He definitely went above and beyond. He placed 2 plates in front of me. One was stuffed salmon with cherry tomatoes, spinach, feta, and pine nuts. The other was a scotch fillet with mash potatoes and green beans. I’ve never seen food of this quality.

I just sat and stared at it, unsure what to do, I know most people would dive right in.

“Eat up; it’s better while it’s warm.” Mickey pushed the salmon closer to me.

“Are you sure this is ok? I mean, a piece of bread and butter would have sufficed. You’ve gone to too much trouble.” I don’t know if I can eat it, have I really become accustomed to eating scraps.

“No kid is going to be eating bread and butter under my roof. If it’s not to ya liking, I can make something else pretty quickly.” He smiled at me

When Sage came in with the water, I gladly took it from her and guzzled the whole thing, I shouldn’t have done that, though, because I almost vomited it back up.

They look at it each other, like they were having a silent conversation.

Once my stomach calmed down, I picked up a fork and started to pick around the salmon, I learned my lesson with the drink. Go slow and steady; I don’t want to lose this delicious goodness because who knows when my next meal will be. As I finished the salmon, they both looked to me expectantly.

“Celeste; I must ask what has happened to you for you to be in the state that Mickey found you. You can trust us, I promise.” Sage spoke first.

“If you’re runnin’ we can protect you.” Mickey added.

I gulped the last mouthful. How do I tell them that without letting them know what I am, humans are fearful of what they don’t understand.