The Hermit Read Online Free PDF Page A

johns into his socks.  Her dark hair was
braided down her back. 
     
    Ryan
could see she was still in pain as she moved.  She needed an internal exam and
blood work done.  Procedures he would not, could not, do here.  Until he could
get her to a facility equipped to help her, he would focus on her nutrition.
     
    Walking
slowly across the room, she placed her hands on the back of the kitchen chair
and gave him a small smile.  He knew many of her teeth were broken from
violence done to her.  Others were so damaged and loose from malnourishment and
neglect that it would be a miracle if she was ultimately able to salvage them. 
     
    He’d
seen the missing person flier.  She had never been what society would call
beautiful, her features were too square, her mouth too wide, her body more
athletic than feminine.  But at one time Daphne had been healthy and fit.  Her
hair had been thick and shiny.  Her teeth perfect.
     
    She
raised her eyes to look at him.  “I haven’t had a shower in so long ; I almost
forgot what to do in there.”  Clearing her throat, she added, “I…thank you…and
I’m sorry I’m afraid.”
     
    “Daphne,
I don’t blame you.  I don’t.  Please don’t apologize.”  He placed their food on
opposite sides of the table, giving her a barrier between them.  She sat,
wincing from what were likely internal injuries that already worried him. 
“I’ve been giving you vitamin and antibiotic injections since I found you.  How
are you feeling physically?”
     
    Shrugging
one thin shoulder, she didn’t look at him as she answered.  “I hurt.  Inside. 
Months now.”  He watched as she swallowed hard.  “I…I promise to tell you if
anything changes.”  He gave her a nod and motioned for her to eat. 
     
    Throughout
the meal, he talked about what had happened around the world in the two years
she’d been held captive.  She didn’t speak, simply listened, but she managed
small portions of the food and sips of the water.  Enough that he was
satisfied.  He wanted to get her body used to food before she headed back to
civilization.  He gave her a sealed vitamin packet and she took the pills. 
     
    After
Ryan had put away five times the amount of food Daphne could manage, he did the
dishes while she remained at the table.  He could feel her watching him, sensed
her battle against the fear she didn’t want to feel.
     
    When
he asked, she allowed him to take her vitals.  Though she shook the entire
time, she stayed in the chair with the makeshift weapon gripped tightly in her
hand, and he touched her as little as possible.  Ryan noted that her eyes were
clearing, the warm brown less cloudy, and the whites less bloodshot.  He
maintained a steady stream of meaningless chatter about wildlife he’d seen
around his cabin over the years until he was able to step away and return his
supplies to his medical bag.
     
    “I’m
going to bring in some wood and check the generator.  Consider this your home,
Daphne, as long as you need it to be one.  I’m not going further than the work
shed attached to the cabin if you need me.”  She nodded and watched him leave,
wondering why a man like Ryan was up here in the Alaskan wilds alone. 
     
     
    Over
the next days, Ryan didn’t push.  He didn’t question or delay in calling the
people who still searched for her.  Instead, he gave Daphne time alone each morning
and afternoon to make the calls if she decided she was ready. 
     
    She
still didn’t talk much unless spoken to directly but she began to noticeably relax
around him.  She stopped carrying the candlestick everywhere with her and
didn’t flinch when he stood up or walked toward her. 
     
    At the
end of her first week awake, she carefully stepped up to help with dishes after
they finished dinner.  As she became comfortable around him, he noticed that only
sudden movements truly startled her.  When a glass toppled from the countertop,
Ryan’s hand shot down and