Page 9 of Kian

“Okay.”

After getting the shirt on him, she could see sweat beading on his forehead from the pain.

“Do you want to try to put the sweatpants on or do you need my help?”Please say no!

“I’ll try in a little while.”

“Take your time,” she said. “I should make a sling for your arm too. I’ll be right back.”

As he nodded, she placed the pillow on the sleeping bag. She could see that he was still in a lot of pain. His skin was ashen, and he tightened his jaw anytime he moved. She couldn’t comprehend the pain he was in. From being shot, and the gash on his head.

After making a sling, she carefully put it under his forearm, pulled the ends together and tied them over his left shoulder. She was hoping it would help with the pain and remind him not to try to use it. He grit his teeth as he lay back down and closed his eyes. She quietly added logs to the hearth and watched as the flames flickered around them. She hoped he slept well.

Gretchen turned on the TV, keeping the volume low, and watched a movie. She’d wake him up when it was time for pills. She smiled when Lobo lay next to the man. If her dog trusted him, shouldn’t she?

She woke him up later for a pill, then sat on the sofa and watched him sleep. Her eyes grew heavy, so she went to bed with Lobo following her.

She awoke with a start, unsure of what had disturbed her slumber. She sat up in bed and listened, until she heard moaning from the living room. Quickly putting on her robe, she walked toward the source of the noise to find the stranger moving around in the sleeping bag, groaning in pain. With caution, she approached him, squatted beside him and gently shook his shoulder, only to be pushed onto her back as he rolled over on top of her, then swore at the pain.

“Stop!” she shouted as panic set in. “Lobo!” Gretchen shouted for the dog, who promptly snapped at the man’s shirt sleeve.

As he lifted his head and looked at her, Gretchen could see that he was still not fully awake. He closed his eyes and rolled onto his back, covering his eyes with his arm.

“Lobo, let go,” Gretchen commanded, and the dog obediently released his grip before sitting by Gretchen’s side and keeping his eyes on the man.

“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I was having a nightmare.”

“It’s okay,” Gretchen reassured him. “You just startled me.”

“Well, I’m glad your dog is protective and well-behaved,” he said, sitting up and rubbing his head. “I don’t think I would havehurt you.”

“Don’t worry about it. I thought you were going to use the bed?” Gretchen asked.

He smirked. “That bed is way too small. I’m more comfortable here.”

“Do you remember what you dreamed about?”

He scrunched his eyebrows together. “I was in the woods with a gun, and two men were in front of me. I shouted something at them.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Then they turned around, raised their rifles, and that’s all I can recall.”

“Maybe your memory is slowly coming back.”

“Possibly. Sorry for waking you up and pouncing on you. I must have still been half asleep.” He rubbed his arm. “I’m glad Lobo didn’t break the skin.”

“He wouldn’t unless I gave him the command to bite. I had a feeling you were having a nightmare, so I didn’t want to add a dog bite to your other injuries.”

“I appreciate that. Will he be okay around me now?”

“Yes.”

“Are you sure? He looks like he wants to devour me whole.”

Gretchen laughed. “Lobo, be nice.” The dog laid down and rested his head on the man’s lap. “See? I wish I knew what to call you though. You don’t look like a John to me; Doe or otherwise.”

He tilted his head. “What does a John look like?”

“I couldn’t tell you, but it’s not how you look.” Gretchen gasped suddenly. “Oh, my goodness! What if your name really is John?”

He chuckled. “It doesn’t seem right.” He furrowed his brow. “I need to leave here soon.”

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