Day 5

Fiona awoke remembering her embarrassment. She hoped to sneak out before Ranger could see her. But she was too late. He was already awake and he set a bowl of food before her.

She smiled awkwardly, thanked him and ate.

She was hungry.

That was something she had always taken for granted but now she understood why people always brought up those starving children in Africa.

Being hungry really was awful.

She then remembered that her clothes were no longer wearable. She wanted to return his clothes but she needed them.

“I’ll pay you back for it one day” she said

“Maybe” she added realizing she didn’t have any money. Nor the knowledge to acquire enough money to pay him back.

Her feet really hurt. Her blisters had blisters and her nail polish was chipped and her toes were dirty.

Ranger watched the girl stuff her face with the food. Then look at her once upon a time clothing. She seemed awkward like she didn’t want to be here. Yet she came all the way out there alone to be with him.

Earth women were confusing.

She was looking at her sore feet and then trying to hide them as if he hadn’t already seen.

He thought about healing her seeing her discomfort. But decided to just take her medicine instead.

He gave her a bowl of water and a cloth to wash her feet. Then he fetched the medicine.

Fiona was grateful for the opportunity to wash her feet.

They must really look bad if he is giving me stuff to wash my feet with, she thought.

He gave her orange goo to put on her feet. She sniffed it. Pulled a discussed face, and quickly smiled at Ranger hoping he hadn’t seen that.

She gingerly put the goo on her very, very, sore feet. Her whole body ached as she had been bashed over rocks in the river the night before.

She wanted to leave but she was afraid.

What if she gets lost or something, or falls in the river again? She didn’t like drowning!

She didn’t want to go alone but she didn’t want to stay either. The strap on the one shoe that was so broken it didn’t even pretend to hold her foot. The other shoe was gone.

Ranger brought her some shoes. They were pull on boots.

She was surprised but she liked them, they were not the ugly animal skin she was used to seeing. But instead, a well- made soft leather ankle boots. The brown boot was trimmed with white.

“Thank you” she said

But upon trying it on she discovered her blisters were in the way.

The well placed, rude, big bubble blisters, applied maximum pain being pressed by the shoe.

She winced.

Ranger came over. He held her hand and touched her foot.

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He closed his growing red eyes.

She closed her eyes.

The pain disappeared and her whole body started to feel better. Her cuts and scraped and bruises stopped hurting.

“You will be alright.” Ranger said.

He now sensed why she was being so distant and acting strange. He comforted her.

“You are beautiful, desire is not the problem. Being left afterwards is. We are from different worlds, and I have nothing to offer you.”

Fiona didn’t reply she was still cross.

“When you go home. What am I meant to do?” he asked.

“Come with me” she said

“Will your family accept me? Will your country accept me?” he asked.

She thought about it. She wished they would but in her heart she wasn’t sure. The more she thought about it the more she worried he would become an experiment, something to test for cures to cancer and other diseases.

She was unaware of his full abilities.

People are evil in the name of progress. What would they do to him? She wondered

Viola was right she would have to stay if they were going to be together.

Then she realized he thought he wasn’t good enough.

“Can you hunt?” she asked.

“Yes”

“Can you catch fish?” She asked

“Yes”

“Can you defend yourself?”

“Yes”

“What makes a man worthy on this world?” she asked.

“The ability to provide for your family, protect them. Being an honorable man.” He replied.

“So then, you can provide food and cook it. You saved two lost girls from danger. You have behaved in a manner that is honorable. So, why do you think you have nothing to offer? You are capable and…” she faded off not wanting to put herself out there again.

As it was, she had made herself more venerable than she would have liked.

He made it clear he doesn’t want me. She reminded herself.

Finally, Ranger said something,

“I have lived here alone knowing that my people are being killed by the queen and I have done nothing. This does not make me honorable.”

“Well, if that’s all then let’s rescue then” she said optimistically.

“No. I can’t” he said sharply.

“Yes, you can” she replied harshly, “You will not be doing it alone. We will free your people.”

Fiona Viper had made up her mind. She was going to help Ranger free his people and then he can stop feeling like a looser and have the confidence required to be with her.

She found his abilities fascinating and the glowing eyes were awesome.

It hadn’t crossed her mind that maybe having a girl save him and his people was maybe not the confidence booster she planned.

She gathered her things, which was her one broken shoe and the scrapes of material that were once her dress. She packed food and water and orange goo.

Ranger took some weapons as Fiona dragged him off, heading for the castle.

Maybe her near death experience was motivating her, and finding a good cause to put all your energy into was a distraction.

Ranger had very little to say as the pretty irritating blond babbled on as if he could understand.

She just kept talking.

She skipped along the path humming a tune.

Her blue eyes sparkled in delight.

She had an unusual beauty but somehow it was overlooked whenever she started talking.

What am I doing? he wondered.

This silly girl is going to get us both killed… at least it will be an honorable death.

His thoughts were interrupted by a squail, Fiona was performing about a common two tailed nutter. (A squirrel type animal)

“They bite” he warned knowing she didn’t understand.

Fiona couldn’t believe it. It was a red squirrel with two tails.

Its little cheeks were stuffed with food. Her ecstatic jumping had scared it into dropping its nuts and running. She picked up a nut and passed it back to the creature. It cautiously took the nut and backed away. She gave it another one and another one.

Ranger didn’t seem to care about the cuteness standing in front of her.

In truth Ranger was shocked it hadn’t bitten her. They were not friendly.

She glowed as she fed it looking at him as if hoping for reassurance.

He saw something coming towards them, a cat… no its soul was not animal. The orange spirit come closer.

“Friend or foe?” he asked

The cat became a woman.

“That depends on who you are traveling with?” she replied.

Fiona blinked a few times. A woman stood before them with blue fur covering her important parts. The fur looked like it was part of her.

“This woman seeks to help me free my people from the queen. If you want her, I will fight you for her.” Ranger said.

“Where is she from? I do not know her smell.” Autumn asked

“Another world called earth. She came with others. They have no idea how they got here or how to return home.”

Autumn circled Fiona like a predator circles prey that has already been caught and now it’s time to play before dinner.

Fiona tried to keep a brave face. But this freak of nature with silver eyes seemed to know something she didn’t. She eyed her as if daring her to run, to please run.

“I am U.S Air-force” she said with a wavering voice that didn’t reassure her at all.

“Free your people?” Autumn asked Ranger while still circling Fiona.

“Yes, her sister is here as well and in the city of Point. They haven’t caused any trouble yet and trouble for the queen should be welcomed.”

“She’s not the one I seek” Autumn said.

“If I heal your wounds and make you strong again. Then make a packed with me not to harm this girl or her sister.” Ranger offered

Autumn thought about it. She was weak and her people needed her. If this Mystic Healer healed her, she would be at full strength. Reluctantly she agreed.

Ranger cut his wrist and Autumn cut hers. They made a packed, and Ranger then healed her.

Fiona and Ranger rested in the town Point for the night, before going on towards the castle to ‘free’ Ranger’s people.

The plan was simple. Fiona was just going to break them out. All this primitive stuff their prisons can’t be that secure. Plus, if she found her sister and the other lost causes. She would also have a gun and she knew how to use one. Military training and all.

They made it to the city Point. They spent the night in a stable on the edge of the city, intending to leave after some rest.