Promise: The Scarred Girl Read Online Free PDF Page B

tree.
    They are now traveling near a former animal enclosure. The wood of the fence posts is quite weathered. Many are overturned and are buried in the high grass. The sun has once again come out of hiding from behind the clouds and its rays reach the ground. Eventually they reach a clearing where the cows stand still. They are waiting for a command to tell them where to go, but Harold is of the opinion that they have traveled enough for today and it is time to set up camp. While Zippi and Harold build the tents and Luica takes care of the fire, Nea offers to go chase a few rabbits. Happy that her offer is accepted, she sets out hunting, armed with her knife. She went so far through the grass that she could no longer see the camp, but could only hear their voices when quiet. She closes her eyes and tries to make out a rustling sound.
    Miro’s hand rested quietly on Nea’s hip while his breath tickled her neck.
    Close your eyes and relax,” he whispered to her. Nea held her breath with excitement. She closed her eyes and tried not to think of Miro’s hands on her body. Previously, his touches never bothered her. But for some reason, this made her feel insane, if his skin lightly grazed hers, she could barely think straight. Sometimes it made her so furious that she insulted him for no reason, only to regret it later.
    “Did you hear that rustling?”
    No, she did not hear anything except the wonderful tenor of his tender voice. His breath felt like velvet as it passed her ear. “Concentrate,” she told herself, loosening her shoulders.
    She listened as the rain fell on the leaves, and then in the distance there was the faint rustle of an animal.
    “Did you hear it?”
    Nea nodded.
    She did not have to wait long because she hears a faint patter close to her. As quietly as possible, she approaches this noise. She comes closer and closer to it, but then all she sees is light brown fur scurrying away. She tries to follow the animal, but all she sees is fleeing hind legs. Again and again she misses the animal whenever she throws her knife at it. At this point, she could use her net, but that is in her backpack, and her backpack is back in the camp. Eventually she concedes defeat and returns to the camp empty-handed. They do not blame her, and Luica has heated a few old tins of spaghetti over a fire, the expiration date has probably passed long ago, but to Nea it is important to show her gratitude. She asks Harold for her backpack and sets a trap with her net in the vicinity of the camp. With luck, the animal that she could not catch earlier will be caught in the night. Nea remembers the dog she trapped last time and how powerless she was to kill it. Its fur was the same color as the hare whose hind legs was all she saw.
    The spaghetti is nothing special, though Nea eats reverently, for this will be her last meal together with these three, then she will have to fend for herself again. She enjoys the warmth of the fire and listening to the faint crackle. After they have eaten, Harold brings his harmonica back out and agrees to play a fun tune that Luica and Zippi both seem to know. Joy radiates all over their faces and they begin to sing loudly.
    The song is about a man who is taken for a ride. He exchanges his house for a cow, his cow for a pig, a pig for a rooster, and finally, the rooster for a loaf of bread, yet he is always happy and cheerful. Nea’s three hosts look hilarious while the song plays. Harold bobs his feet to the beat, Luica sings full throated, and Zippi jumps around the fire happily. Harold plays more funny songs, but Nea knows none of them, however she is more amused than she has been in the last two years. Finally, Luica gets up and comes back with a brown bottle and three glasses. She gives one to everyone but Zippi. She then pours a dark red liquid in to the glasses. If Nea is not mistaken, it’s wine. Sometimes at night, Nea’s parents would snuggle together on the soft sofa, light candles, and