His Petite Luna

Chapter 9 Go Back The Sardothiens’ house

ANA'S POV

I jolted, having to feel him that close because I didn't want to get caught.

I stepped back too fast, too suddenly, that I tripped on the rock behind me and fell. My bone sang in pain as I fell and I winced.

The surrounding was dark, the moon was covered by clouds.

Leon is here and he is going to kill me.

My fear ratcheted. I wanted to run. I wanted to get away from him.

And when I looked at my hand, I realized that I was already holding the dagger and pointed it at him. It was also then that I realized that my hand was trembling.

"Ana," he said and stepped closed.

His voice was uncharacteristically gentle but I scuttled back, dagger still pointed at him.

He looked at it, at my fear-stricken face, and then at the wound on my neck.

"They are worried about you," he said. "You've never been to this mountain. What makes you think it's safe for you to come here? There are f*****g wild wolves--."

I had no idea about the risk on this mountain. I just wanted to get far away from Leon, but the Sun Mountain was too complicated. I had been walking for a whole day without finding my way out, and now I had encountered a wild wolf. That was bad enough, but then I was also caught by Leon. Would he take advantage of the lack of people and kill me?

Leon stepped forward to help me up, but I screamed like an angry cat and yelled, "Don't come near me!"

Leon was both annoyed and amused. "Can you get up on your own?" he asked.

I struggled to stand up, but I had twisted my foot and couldn't do it. After my struggles, the wound that I had dressed before started bleeding again.

He doesn't know that I tried to escape today then. He just knew I came here to collect herbs?

I calmed my expression. There is no use fighting him in my state.

He's going to disarm me and even if I manage to run.

When I dropped the dagger, he cautiously crouched in front of me. "It's alright. The wolf's gone."

Suddenly, Leon turned around, his back now facing me. I looked at him questioningly and he looked at me over his shoulder. "Let me carry you home," he said.

There will always be another time for me to escape. Another time for me to plan it more carefully. For now, I don't have a choice.

Slowly, I went climbing on his back. It was a struggle since my foot aching.

After several moments, I was already on his back.

His strong hands gripped my thighs as he stood.

I couldn't say another word and perhaps I was still trembling. Whether he noticed it or not, he did not tell. He walked carefully down the stony path of the mountain.

"Why are you even here? You should have just left me alone. You wanted me to disappear, right?"

He was silent for a moment and then he said, "Just because I am here doesn't mean I wanted to come here. If you were planning to run away, I couldn't care less. But mother and sister Carla, Clarisse, and Ismael as well are getting worried and they asked me to come to look for you."

I wanted to get offended by what he said but at the same time, I was also relieved. His statement only confirmed that he didn't realize I was planning to escape.

We reached the flat surface of the mountain, the spot where I killed the wolf. I saw its lifeless body and its mutilated neck. It was something that would be forever engraved in my mind.

Then I saw a bunch of people walking in our direction. They were holding torches that's why I could already see their faces even before they neared.

The village chief lead the group toward where Leon was standing.

Suddenly, I felt shame about the fact that I had bothered a lot of people because my escape attempt failed.

"Ana!" said the village chief. Worry etched his face and I couldn't look at him straight in the eye. I couldn't bring myself to say anything because I was so guilty that I just buried my face in Leon's back.

Mercifully, Leon took the hint and told the villagers that I was alright and that I am quite in shock with what happened.

The walk back to Lockwood village was quiet. I was thankful Leon did not give me any more reprimands.

Perhaps he took pity on me who almost got eaten by the wolves. I was still shaken by it but I calmed down a little.

Although the journey back was quiet, Leon was swift on his feet.

Occasionally, he would ask me if I was sleeping or not. I would just answer it with a grunt. I don't know how long it took for us to arrive at the house but the next thing I heard was Melissa's voice as Leon placed me on the bed.

My head was spinning and my body was too weak. I've lost a lot of blood.

I heard Leon saying something about a healer and then more hurried steps and hushed whispers together with soft caresses on my hair.

I figured it was Melissa who was sitting next to the bed, whispering things I couldn't understand. It wasn't long until darkness took over and I was sleeping.

*

LEON'S POV

The villagers who went with me to the mountains went straight to the house together with the healer.

"What's going on?" Mother's gaze fell on the blood-covered Ana, who was lying on my back, and she was stunned, forgetting how to react for a moment.

The village chief's wife, Mrs Rika, was also scared: "Julian what's wrong? Why is Ana covered in blood like this?"

I placed her on the bed. The healer was examining her.

It was the village chief, Mr. Julian, who answered her because I was just staring at Ana, wondering how she managed to kill that wolf. "We think she's been bitten by the wolf and Leon came in time, killed the wolf, and saved her," he said.

I did not bother telling him it was not me who killed the wolf. If I tell them it was Ana, I don't know what they would think about her.

Mother's eyes went to me. "Leon, are you hurt?" Her eyes scanned my shirt which was soaked with blood on the shoulder.

"It's Ana's blood," I said, answering the silent worry in her eyes.

Carla entered the room bringing a bowl of lukewarm water and I took it from her trembling hands.

"Let me do it," I said and placed the bowl on the table next to the healer.

I looked at the unconscious Ana and then at the wound on her shoulder.

Looking at it, I could see it was pretty deep. I couldn't help but wonder how she didn't cry with such a wound.

The healer, Mr. Kaz let out a sigh before he turned to look at us. "The wound runs deep. Also, she lost lots of blood. You will need a doctor from the county to properly heal her. I did what I could to stop the bleeding, at least."

"I will call a doctor from the county tomorrow before the first light. Could you stay here until then to observe her?" I said and Mr. Kaz nodded.

"Sister, could we borrow your donkey cart once more?" Mother then truned to villa head's wife,Mrs. Rika, who was waiting outside, willingly obliged.

Clarisse was standing just outside Ana's room, peeking inside.

"How hurt is she, Melissa?" asked villa head's wife, Mrs. Rika, who already sent villa head back to get the donkey cart.

Mother let out a deep sigh after she took a sip from her tea. The same tea that Ana made using her dried herbs.

"Badly. I could see the row of teeth and fangs on her shoulder. I could see the bone." She hitched her breath and then went on, "The village healer could not handle it. We needed to have the county doctor see it."

Mrs. Rika offered her sympathy and her wishes which mother acknowledged and thanked her for. When it was late at night, it was only Mrs. Rika who remained.

"Mom, how's Ana? Can I see her?" asked Clarisse by the door.

I was standing inside the room, leaning on the wall next to the door but I could hear everything outside.

Carla shushed Clarisse. "Go to your room and sleep, sweetie. Ana is going to be fine."

Clarisse didn't say anything more and went to her bedroom.

I could see Ismael peeking inside, the worried look on his face as his eyes went to the unconscious Ana and then goes back to offer mother he would make food for her. Mother, in the end, told him it was fine and that Carla will be the one making food.

That's when I realized how loved Ana is. My family loves her. The whole village loves her. Hell, I think the village chief's donkey likes her too.

She has placed herself in a special in every people's heart in Lockwood village.

At that moment, I felt bad for always giving her a reason to be scared and risking her running away from this place.

*

ANA'S POV

Suddenly, I was back in that place.

My home. It was once so lively, so peaceful. So perfect. But now all I can see is blood on the floor. And lifeless bodies.

I don't know who they are and what they were doing in my house but then I saw him.

My brother.

He was holding a sword in his hand. He was looking at me as he walked closer. The tip of his sword connected with the floor, creating a screeching noise.

"No," I rasped, stepping back. "Please, don't kill me."

But he kept on walking. The sound of the sword against the floor was deafening. And then somewhere far, I heard a voice. A voice that was very familiar to me.

"Ana," it called.

"I'm here."

It was then that I realized that it was Leon's voice.

Something calm washed over me and when I looked back at my house, there was nothing there anymore.

There were no lifeless bodies. No blood. My brother was not there too.

I looked around, trying to find where Leon is but I was only greeted by the peace and quiet. And the next thing I knew, I was opening my eyes and I was greeted by the familiar ceiling of Leon's bedroom.

I turned to look beside me and saw that Leon was there and he was holding my hand. Had he somehow heard me dreaming earlier? Did he really say those words while I was dreaming?

Leon stirred and I immediately removed my hand from his hand.

As if on cue, Melissa entered the room to check and her eyes lit up when she saw me awake.

"Ana!" she called and practically ran to the bed to hold my hand. "How are you feeling? Does it still hurt? Tell me where does it hurt?"

I gave her a weak smile before I shook my head. Aside from the dizzying feeling I was feeling, there was nothing else.

Luckily, after I got bitten by the wolf, I was able to clean the wound in the cube space and inject myself with a vaccine. If I hadn't done it, I don't want to imagine what would have happened.

Leon was already awake and was looking at me. I still couldn't read the expression on his face. Then he said, "I'm going to tell Carla to heat the food. And go to the county too." He didn't wait for us to say something and went out.

I looked at Melissa who was still looking at me teary-eyed. "I'm sorry I lost the basket and the sickle," I mumbled.

She shook her head. "It doesn't matter. We can make new baskets and a new sickle."

She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I am just thankful your life wasn't lost."

I looked down at my hands. "I lost all the herbs as well."

She sniffed this time. "It doesn't matter, Ana. From now on, you will not go to the mountains alone. What if no one found you last night? What if Leon had been too late--"

She did not finish the thought and shook her head once more as if shaking the thought away. Then she looked at me, her eyes still watery. "Are you feeling hungry? I'll get you some food."

As if on cue, Carla came in bringing with her the tray of food. I gave her a weak smile and apologized for making them worry.

I felt bad suddenly.

Leaving them without saying goodbye could make them worry about me. But if I plan to escape, I can't tell them where I am going. I would be risking their lives from my killers.

"It doesn't matter now, Ana," said Carla.

"We are just glad that you are safe."

"What were you doing in the Sun Mountain in the first place?" asked Melissa. She sounded like a mother scolding her child.

"I...I intended to get more herbs from that mountain but I lost my way and...sundown came."

"Luckily, Leon found you on time and killed the wolf," she said.

I was surprised to hear it. Why didn't Leon tell them I was the one who killed the wolf?

"Where is Leon?"

"He's going to the county to get a doctor," said Carla as he set down the food on the table near the bed.

"You've lost quite a lot of blood. The healer had just gone home half an hour ago after watching you all night."

"There is no need for a doctor, though," I said.

But Melissa wouldn't hear the rest of it and told me to lie down as she fed me the food. When Melissa was done, she went out to take care of their breakfast.

I lay there in bed staring at the ceiling.

Staying here longer would risk their lives. I can't have them getting involved with this problem. I know the killers are not going to stop me from coming after me.

Not after I have what they are looking for. What my brother is looking for. I have hidden it in the church near the border but I can't afford to stay in this place any longer. I need to plan my next escape quickly.

Just when the sun was rising about an hour ago, Ismael visited my room and offered me a kind smile.

"How are you?" he asked and I smiled.

"Never been better." He sat on the chair next to the bed.

"I don't care if I continue studying in the county, Ana. If it means you don't have to work hard." He smiled. "I'm off to school now. See you later."

A lying woman like me doesn't deserve to be with this family.

*

LEON'S POV

I arrived three hours later with the doctor in tow.

Mother was in front of the cottage gate, waiting for my arrival.

"This is Doctor Ramir. He owns the Planta Bazzar in the county."

Mother nodded at the doctor and she said, "Ana's asleep after eating. She's bitten by a wolf and lost a lot of blood."

Dr. Ramir nodded. "Leon had told me on the way here. Can I take a look?"

Mother immediately opened the gate and let the doctor come in.

The doctor immediately went to examine the sleeping Ana. A

fter several minutes of checking, he looked at us. "I have good news. She only had skin trauma. Her bone is unharmed. She will recover after a few days' rest."

"She lost a lot of blood, doctor," I insisted.

"I will prescribe something to help her with that. Also, her wound dressing needs to be changed every three days. She will be alive and kicking again after two weeks." He took something from his bag and gave it to mother.

"What was she doing in the mountain, anyway?"

"She lost her way," mother answered.

The doctor looked like he wanted to say something more but stopped himself short. After another several minutes of prescription, I took the doctor back to the county. Mother had given him all the earnings we had from selling herbs.

That night, Ana was awake again and Clarisse was chatting with her by the bed.

Seeing me come with the medicine, Clari quickly moved aside and motioned for me to sit down.

I took a seat on a small stool and stirred the medicine in the cup with a spoon, blowing on it as I stirred. Then I scooped a spoonful and held it to Ana's lips, saying, "Drink this."

Ana furrowed her brow as she looked at the dark liquid in the cup and gave it a sniff. "This is a blood tonic, right? I can smell ingredients like Angelica archangelica and Digitalis purpurea," she said almost instinctively.

How did she know that? I suppressed my curiosity and replied, "Yes, the doctor said this is to improve the blood production in your body."

Ana reached out her uninjured hand and took the cup from me. She closed her eyes and drank the medicine in one go. "It's torture to drink it sip by sip," she said.

I couldn't help but laugh as I watched Ana's brow furrowed with concentration. I popped a piece of candy into her mouth, and her eyes lit up.

Seeing her bright, shining eyes made me feel really happy. Then, I turned around and went to wash the cups.

Just then, I returned and frowned when I saw Ana out of bed. "Why did you leave the bed?"

She hopped on one leg and explained, "I only hurt one leg and one arm, I'm not disabled."

"Naughty girl," I said as I lifted her up into my arms and carried her back to bed.

As I set her down, I asked, "What would you do if you got hurt again?"

Yara shrugged and replied, "I'll be okay."

"Lie down." I insisted.

As Ana settled back into bed, I watched her thoughtfully.

She was not cute, not like other teenagers who were often spoiled and entitled. Instead, she was a considerate and mature girl beyond her years.

What had she experienced?