“What?”
“I hae lost the sack I took from the hospital, twas carryin’ the bottle ye gave me, twas precious.”
“That’s fine, it’s not that precious, I’ll give you another.” I put the gun down on the counter, then poured a couple of Tylenol out on my hand and crossed the room to pass him two. My hand trembled from fear. I felt overwrought by what I had just seen.
I passed him the water.
He put the pills on his tongue and expertly unscrewed the cap on the water and drank a large gulp. He grimaced, then sighed. “Och, I needed it.”
“I am not alone, at the house, I mean. I am for a moment, but my friend is coming.”
His arms were on his knees, his head hanging. It was apparent he was exhausted and in a great deal of pain. “I winna cause ye any harm, Mistress Lexi, I am nae a danger tae ye.”
“Good. That’s good to know, though I don’t exactly trust you.”
He raised his eyes. “Tis wise of ye, but I winna cause difficulties.”
I nodded, and then feeling bad I went and looked in the cupboards. The first thing I saw was a box with brown sugar cinnamon Pop-Tarts. I looked inside: a foil pack of two was left. Brilliant!
I opened the top, peeled down the back, and placed it in front of Torin.
His head still hanging wearily he picked up a Pop-Tart, broke it in half and practically ate it in two bites, then he hungrily took the second and ate it almost as fast. He grimaced as if it was the most disgusting thing he had ever tasted, then he guzzled the last of his water.
“You like Pop-Tarts?”
He frowned. “Tis verra um...” He smacked his tongue, distastefully. “I am verra grateful for it, thank you.”
I chuckled, then remembered that I was upset. “I need an explanation.”
“Twill be longer than I can bear, Mistress Lexi, I am verra weakened.”
I folded my arms. “Give me the short version.”
He leaned back on his cloak, spread across the pillows of the couch. “I am here by chance and although I hae tried tae leave, I keep returnin’... I daena understand it but I keep endin’ up here.”
“Like going in circles?”
“Aye, tis like that.”
“Who was that man and do you really think he is gone now?”
His brow was furrowed. “After I last saw ye, I ended up in the place I had left, and that man was waitin’, he attempted tae steal my vessel — I had tae battle him, but in the middle of it, midswing, Mistress Lexi, I was drawn here once more. Och nae, as I was dragged away I caught a glimpse of Max, runnin’ intae the clearin’. He yelled, ‘Torin, wait!’ But I couldna, the vessel had me in its grip. And that man held ontae m’arm as I felt m’self bein’ dragged through time.”
“Where did the man go?” I dropped into the chair across from him.
“I daena ken, wherever he has gone he will likely die. He deserved it though, he tried tae take what was mine. If he had gotten it, I would hae been lost forever.”
I narrowed my eyes. “So we don’t need to go find him? We don’t need to call an ambulance?”
“Nae, why? He was a detestable, vile fiend, and he has left, we saw the storm. We ought not worry on him, I hae done the world a service in slayin’ him.”
I nodded, though none of that made me feel more comfortable at all.
“I just don’t understand…” I shook my head. “Like, I don’t even know where to begin the questions.Howdo you keep ending up here? You say it’s a vessel but it’s the size of a can, what are you talking about?”
He shrugged. “I daena ken any of the answers, Mistress Lexi, tis notmyvessel, it belongs tae Max. I was helpin’ him procure it — we hae been trying tae locate it for a long time, then somehow I am the one who has it in m’possession, nae Max... I am takin’ journeys upon it without knowin’ how tae steer.”
“Max is your friend?”