Demon From Heaven

Chapter 7

MERIDA POV

I rushed to the stranger's side, my heart pounding in my chest. Gently, I knelt down beside him, careful not to startle him further. Blood stained his clothes, painting a vivid picture of the pain he must be experiencing.

My instincts kicked in, pushing aside any doubts or hesitations I had about helping him. I had always possessed a strong sense of empathy, and seeing someone in such a vulnerable state stirred a protective instinct deep within me.

With trembling hands, I reached out to assess his injuries. His breathing was ragged and shallow, indicating the severity of his wounds. I knew that if I didn't act quickly, he might not survive.

Gingerly, I began to clean his wounds, using the supplies I had gathered from my time in the forest. As I tended to his injuries, I couldn't help but notice the chiseled features of his face, so striking and captivating. It was as if an unseen force was drawing me to him, making my heart flutter in my chest.

But I quickly pushed those thoughts aside. This was not the time for distractions or infatuations. I needed to focus on saving his life, on doing what I could to help him heal.

As I worked, his features relaxed, the pain on his face lessening with each passing moment. It was as if my touch had brought him comfort, easing his suffering.

Once I had done all I could for him, I carefully lifted him into my arms, cradling him close to my chest. He was lighter than I had anticipated, as if the weight of his injuries had drained him of his strength.

With cautious footsteps, I made my way back to my hiding place, a secluded cave nestled deep within the heart of the forest. I laid him down on a makeshift bed, making sure he was comfortable and secure.

As he slept, I observed his features more closely. His strong jawline and perfectly symmetrical features made him undeniably handsome. But it was more than just his physical appearance that drew me to him. There was something about him, something unexplainable that made my heart flutter whenever I was near him.

Yet, I couldn't let myself get too attached. I had learned the hard way that holding onto attachments only brought pain and suffering.

Days turned into nights as I cared for the stranger, tending to his wounds and ensuring he had enough nourishment. But one thing I couldn't do was stand by his side till he wakes up…I have done all I could for him and it was left for him to regain his consciousness, I decided to return back to the empty I found at the outskirt of the forest and stay there for the main time

As I prepared to leave, I stood by the sleeping stranger one last time, my heart filled with a bittersweet ache. I wish I could wait for him to wake up and at least know who he was, but I couldn't risk that.

I slowly walked out of the cave and towards the cottage but even being away from this stranger I was still being strangely drawn to him.

The days passed in a blur as I settled into the quiet solitude of the cottage on the outskirts of the forest. It was a small, quaint place that provided me with a sense of refuge and peace, away from the chaos of the outside world.

But no matter how much I tried to immerse myself in my new surroundings, my thoughts kept drifting back to the stranger I had left behind. I couldn't shake the nagging worry that plagued my mind, wondering if he had regained consciousness, if his wounds were healing, if he was safe.

Two days had passed since I had parted ways with him, and still, his presence lingered in my thoughts. It was as if an invisible thread connected us, drawing me back to him despite my best efforts to focus on my own well-being.

Doubt gnawed at my resolve, tempting me to return to the cave and check on his condition. But I knew that would only put both of us at risk. I needed to prioritize my own safety, to ensure that I remained hidden and protected from those who sought to harm me.

Yet, the guilt of leaving him behind weighed heavily on my heart. I had become his caretaker, his lifeline, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility towards him, even if I didn't know his name or his story.

As I went about my daily routine, the cottage felt empty and void of purpose. I cooked my meals, tended to the small garden outside, and took long walks through the neighboring woods, but it all seemed meaningless without him by my side.

Each day, I found myself succumbing to the urge to return to the cave, to check on him and ensure that he was still alive. But the fear of being discovered, of exposing both of us to danger, held me back.

The nights were the hardest. Alone in the darkness, my mind would wander, conjuring images of his peaceful face, his eyes closed in sleep as I cared for him. I yearned to know more about him, to understand the circumstances that led him to such a wounded state.

But as much as I wanted to be there for him, I knew that I couldn't sacrifice my own safety. I had already been through enough, and my priority had to be self-preservation.

Days turned into nights, and nights turned into weeks. The routine of my life in the cottage remained unchanged, but my thoughts were consumed by the unknown fate of the stranger. I couldn't escape the pull that drew me to him, an inexplicable connection that defied logic.

One morning, as the sun peeked through the curtains of the cottage, I made a decision. I couldn't continue living in limbo, torn between my need for safety and my desire to help him. I would leave the cottage, venture back into the wilderness, and find my way back to the cave.

With a determined spirit, I packed a small bag, leaving behind the sanctuary of the cottage. As I stepped out into the forest, a surge of adrenaline coursed through my veins. The anticipation and uncertainty of what I would find propelled me forward, my feet moving with purpose.

It took hours of traversing through the dense foliage, following my instincts and the faint memory of the path I had taken before. The familiar scent of the cave grew stronger with each step, fueling my determination.

Finally, I reached the entrance of the cave, its dark opening beckoning me forward. As I cautiously stepped inside, my heart hammered in my chest. The cave was dimly lit, the only source of light coming from a small crack in the rocky ceiling. Shadows danced on the walls, adding an air of mystery to the place.

But my face fell when I noticed he wasn't in the cave anymore, he must have regained his consciousness and left. I just hope that's what really happened and nothing harmful happened to him, from his features he seemed like someone who would be really fit to protect himself making me even more curious at what had really happened, if only I could get his name at that moment and find him but that clearly was impossible now that he left.

I sat at the surface I placed him that night while caressing it gently remembering how he whispered to himself about his will to come to the forest and something about being drawn to the forest against his will.

He must be a very friendly person. I thought to myself before sighing out loudly, I can't continue hiding like this.

"I should leave?" I asked myself with a smile on my face. How did I even end up here like a rouge wolf just for a crime I never committed.

After so many thoughts I decided to leave the forest for good and even possible go far away, to a province where no one knows me and start a new life even if it means me hiding away from bounty hunters and most especially I would make sure Cecilia pays for everything if truly she had a hand in it.

It was also time for me to forget about the stranger I helped for only a few nights and couldn't forget about him, at least he helped me get over my fears of being caught and facing the world with my head up high.

I stood up quietly and walked out while I paced quickly towards the nearby road ready to face whatever awaits me even if it meant being caught.