Page 16 of Those That Are Lost
“Sorry,” Red blurts, “I had no idea.”
“I’m well practiced, and it's a high-tech model,” Henry replies, slipping the sleeve down his leg and removing the prosthetic. “I can’t have any of my enemies knowing my weakness, can I?”
“When did it happen? If you don’t mind me asking.”
I sit down on the edge of her bed, watching the interaction between the two of them.
“During the war, it’s what took me out. I was born a human, but sided with the vampires when the fighting broke out. Got my foot blown off by an unexploded shell. I’d have died right there on the battlefield if a vampire hadn’t been willing to turn me. Thankfully they did a fairly decent job of smoothing off my stump before the magic kicked in. It's not easy to alter it once you’ve turned, and apparently limbs don’t grow back if you lose them before you get your fangs.”
Henry speaks so casually, like his death doesn’t haunt him. I wish I had reached that level of peace already.
“Was it you?” She aims the question at me this time, breaking me out of my thoughts before the dark ones can take hold.
“Did I turn Henry?”
Red nods.
“No, I was at home at this point, transitioning myself after I’d blown out my knee.”
“Indeed, it was quite the surprise when Ty returned and we both had fangs. Although we didn’t get time to catch up as I was being sent to a safe zone to learn to walk again.”
Red nods again, letting that new information sink in, before ducking into the bathroom. After a minute, we hear the shower turn on.
“I like her,” Henry speaks softly as he massages his stump. He hasn’t complained once but it's the first time he’s taken it off since we left his place a few weeks ago now. It must get uncomfortable even if his fast healing can avoid him getting any blisters or open sore from it rubbing. He must feel safe enough to do so now; even with our strength and speed, only one leg would be a hindrance in an attack.
I hum a non-committal response to his comment. The beast in me wants to growl that she’s mine, even though she’s not currently.
“Not like that.” He rolls his eyes. “I can see why you like her like that though. She’s good for you.”
“Henry, she can probably hear every word you're saying.”
“I know, it’s nothing I wouldn’t say to her face.” He shifts, grabbing his bag and pulling out some sweats to change into.
It reminds me I’m still not wearing a shirt, not that Red seemed to notice.
She emerges from the ensuite a few minutes later, skin pink from the hot water and only wearing a baggy shirt and some sleep shorts.
I whimper internally.
“Some of the patrons this evening were talking about bad weather coming in. Large amounts of snow are due in thenext couple of weeks,” she says, climbing onto the bed and sitting cross legged.
I hear the unasked question.Are we staying?
“Will the routes out of here be cut off?” Henry questions.
“I think so,” Red answers.
“Were you planning on staying here through the winter?” I enquire.
“I don’t know. It had crossed my mind. If I couldn’t get out, then no one should be able to get in, not easily anyway.”
“But?”
She hesitates. “If you’re staying, will we be able to feed enough? It’s a small town. I was considering moving on to find somewhere larger. I don’t know how often I can repeatedly drink from people before they become weak, or suspicious.”
It’s a valid concern.
“We’re staying. I’m not splitting from you now that I’ve found you.” The visible relaxation in her shoulders washes me with relief. There’s hope.
