Blood Pact
Bailey did not mention her pact with Death to anyone, but she was constantly aware of it, and aware of the blood that had to be paid.
A couple of weeks passed and another snowstorm raged outside. Bailey began to feel restlessness creep over her. Of course she loved being at home with her Steef family but being cooped up constantly, now that she’d completely healed, was starting to get to her. She wanted to be outside and enjoy the fresh air and the snow, but now Stranger was well again, he wouldn’t let her anywhere near the snow again until he was satisfied she’d gotten over her virus.
When the time came. It was not Stranger who decided.
The storm lifted and once again the young Steef of the tribe went out to play their games and enjoy the snow. Those who Bailey befriended came to see if the human would join them, but they were politely but unarguably turned away, all with the same reply. Bailey had recently been sick and she would not be out for a while.
Haigar and Loki went with Alika and Daimen, Bailey did not begrudge them. She encouraged them to go, she only regretted not being there for when Loki encountered her first snow.
Stranger stayed at home with Bailey. Bailey had just resigned herself to a quiet day inside when a deep throated horn sounded. Neither Bailey nor Stranger knew it’s meaning but both were immediately on their feet and tense. They looked at each other, by mutual consent the two former bounty hunters armed themselves and were out of the Steef home in seconds, Bailey strapping on her weaponry as she went.
Steef were running in all directions, arming themselves with bows and swords and spears. Stranger readied his crossbow and Bailey drew her handgun from it’s holster.
“What’s happenin’!?” Stranger shouted to one Steef,
“We’re bein’ attacked!” came the swift answer, Stranger and Bailey looked at each other again and with wide eyes. Then they charged from the home cavern and as fast as they could and got out into the open. Once again the snow plain thronged with fighting Steef and the strange creatures that reminded Bailey eerily of humans…
Alika suddenly appeared, running from battle with Haigar in tow.
“Daimen’s fighting!” she panted as she reached them, “And Loki is missing.” She cried.
Bailey’s mouth fell open and she choked. Alika had been right when she’d said they had a connection, Bailey adored that Steefling and she felt a rage at whoever had dared take her. She wondered briefly who Jelani’s daughter was, and felt the resentment that she was not watching over Loki.
“Get inside ‘Lika!” Stranger roared over the noise of battle, “Haigar! Take care of your mother!” Haigar nodded and practically carried his grieving mother away from the fighting. While everyone’s attention was elsewhere, Bailey slipped away.
She ran through the fighting Steef and creatures, looking desperately for Loki, when she did see her, her breath caught in her throat. The Steefling was screaming and held between two of the short minion-like creatures.
Bailey felt anger rise in her, akin to the Rage that possessed her completely, but this was different, her mind was sharp and clear, cold and calculating.
Bailey gave a roar that sounded more Steef then human and charged. She barged into one of the creatures and bowled him over, breaking his neck and getting a slash on her shoulder and upper arm that was shallow but bled profusely. Bailey turned and growled at the remaining creature and slowly stalked towards him like a panther.
Trembling the creature offered the now quiet Steefling. Bailey took Loki and smiled at her. The creature let out a relieved breath. Bailey gently set Loki down, and then with the speed of a striking snake or a bolt of lightning she had the creature by the throat. She strode forward, dragging the creature along with her until they came to where the land jutted down. Below razor sharp rocks twinkled coldly and cruelly with frost.
“No one,” Bailey held the creature over the brink. “Hurts,” further, “My,” further still over the rim, “Steef.” Bailey snarled she released the minion creature and turned her back on him, she walked a few steps back towards Loki, then she spun, her gun in her hand and fired.
The creature toppled over the rim, and hit the rocks below with a wet ‘thunk’. Bailey picked up Loki.
“Let’s go home.” she growled,
Suddenly there was a crash and five more of the squat creatures burst through the low shrubbery near the cliff edge and faced Bailey and Loki.
“Uh oh.” Loki said in her baby voice,
“Uh huh.” Bailey said. For a second the creatures, Bailey and Loki looked at each other, and then, suddenly, as if unpaused, Bailey turned and ran, there were cries of rage behind and the creatures came after her.
Bailey kept running, if she remembered rightly…there stood been an old chute nearby. Haigar had told her that lower down it was used as a laundry chute, for unmarried male Steef to use. They sent their laundry and it was cleaned and sent back. It was a bit of a jip in Bailey’s opinion but Haigar also told her that the chute reached the surface and that sometimes, young Steef used the chute as a fast track to get to places quickly.
If she could find the chute…
Luckily she remembered where to find it and fortunately it wasn’t far away. Bailey put on an extra spurt of speed and raced across the snow. She skidded to a halt where the chute should have been and furiously dug in the snow. Finally she uncovered it and kicked it open she swept Loki into her arms and jumped down. She braced the soles of her sneakers on the chute walls and closed the hatch, juggling Loki she drew the sniper rifle and slid it into the rings to hold the hatch down, she waited with baited breath for the creatures to arrive.
They did and scrabbled at the hatch for a long time, but the rifle held and they were frustrated in their efforts. Bailey let out a quiet sigh of relief as they gave up and wandered off, muttering amongst themselves and blaming each other for losing Bailey and the Steefling.
Bailey grinned at Loki,
“We gotta get you home kid.” She muttered and slowly and gently eased her sneaker soles away from the wall. The effect was instantaneous and Bailey yelled as she and Loki suddenly shot down the chute. Loki giggled and clapped her hands as they slid down the chute and crashed in a laundry trolley at the bottom, their fall cushioned by dirty sheets.
The force of their impact was so great that the cart shot forward and crashed into the opposite wall. Bailey groaned as she was slammed into the wall. Loki giggled and clapped,
“Again again!” she laughed. Bailey clambered wearily out of the cart and flopped on the floor. “Again!”
“Oh you have got to be kiddin’…” moaned Bailey. She reached up tiredly and took hold of the cart rim and hauled herself up. One leg ached, as if she had pulled a muscle and she had to limp on it, not putting her weight on it. She reached into the cart and scooped up Loki, “Now look kid, you gotta behave.” Bailey said. Loki sat quietly, a serious look on her face as if she understood. “Ok.” Bailey said and left the laundry.
She limped down the passageways, unusually not meeting anyone else, until she finally reached a very welcomingly familiar Steef home, Bailey gave a relieved sigh.
“Home. Alright,” Holding her leg stiffly and trying to put as little weight as she possible could on it, Bailey limped down the wooden rope bridge. And finally she got to the front door and knocked on it. “Hullo? Hunnies, I’m home.”
The door was flung open and Alika stood in the doorway. She saw Bailey with Loki and made a sound of incomparable relief.
“Bailey.” She gasped, “You found her.” Bailey nodded and offered Loki. Alika took the baby and hugged her in relief. Bailey smiled tightly, the pain in her leg was intensifying and the muscle clenched like she had leg cramp. Trying to limp inconspicuously and as little as possible Bailey entered the Steef home. “Bailey?” Bailey inwardly groaned and turned back to Alika, “Are you alright?”
“I’m fine.” Bailey said, Alika came up to her and touched the faint dark stain blossoming on the shoulder of Bailey’s old black shirt, her fingers came away red. Alika knew blood when she saw it. And now that she looked, she could see Bailey was pale and she was favouring one leg.
“Fine, Bailey?” she said sceptically. Bailey didn’t answer, just looked at the floor, “Haigar!” Alika called, Haigar came out of the kitchen, he saw Loki and Bailey with relief, he came down the hall smiling and hugged Bailey, Bailey winced and hissed in pain, Haigar drew back quickly. “She’s hurt.” Alika explained to her son, “Help her into the kitchen and look after Loki, I’m going to get Daimen, Stranger and a healer.” Haigar nodded,
“C’mon Bailey.” He said and supported her as she limped into the kitchen, Alika followed and put Loki in her baby chair while Haigar sat Bailey down,
“I’ll be back soon.” Alika said, pulling a pale blue cloak from a peg by the kitchen door and buttoning it under her chin as she left.
There was a silence and then, presently;
“How d’you feel Bailey?” asked Haigar. Bailey was slumped in the chair her head tilted back, her eyes closed.
“Tired, very tired.” Bailey brought her head forward and opened her eyes, looking at Haigar, “What happened?” Haigar drew out a chair and sat on it backwards.
“We were attacked again, in the chaos Loki was separated from us, and then you and Stranger came. You disappeared and Stranger went to fight with Da, hoping he’d see you, but when the creatures ran – or were dead anyway – he still hadn’t found you, he came back here, hoping you’d already be here, but you weren’t. Him and Da went looking for you.” Bailey frowned,
“You mean, that those…things, just broke off and scarpered?”
“Yeh, no one understands it, but it’s making people very wary.” Bailey sat forward, trying to keep pressure off of her injured leg.
“Very.” She murmured, still frowning. Her mind was working at a faster pace now, trying to find a connection that she knew had to be there.
Just then the kitchen door opened and Stranger, Daimen, Alika and Gershom entered. Daimen saw Loki and smiled gratefully at Bailey, Stranger looked like he was half way between wanting to hug Bailey and never let her go and throttling her for scaring him. One thing was exceptionally clear. He wasn’t going to let her out of his sight for a very long time. Gershom smiled and shook his head,
“What am I going to do with you, I’ve seen more of you in the last couple of months then I see most of my other patients in a year. What have you gotten up to this time hm?” he asked, but his eyes were twinkling kindly. He turned to Stranger, “I’d like to move her into the bedroom if you wouldn’t mind.” Stranger nodded and picked up Bailey, carrying the human into her own room and sat her on the bed, mindful of her leg. Gershom came in shortly after. “Okay little one, let’s take a look at you.” He moved to stand by the bed and pulled down the collar of Bailey’s t-shirt so he could see her shoulder wound, it went from her collar bone, down to her elbow. Gershom clicked his tongue, “You have been in the wars haven’t you?” he said rhetorically. He brought a clay tub from his pouch and smeared the cut with a thick green gel.
It stung a fraction and Bailey took in a quick breath but the sting was soon replaced by a soothing coolness, Gershom wrapped a soft, pliant bandage around her arm and shoulder and tied it firmly and neatly. He then moved on to her leg. He rolled up her pantleg and gently felt the muscle.
“Pulled tendon.” He muttered, “Nothing serious and only temporary, a firm bandage and mild painkillers will do.” he fished out more bandages – stiffer this time – from his pouch and wrapped Bailey’s leg firmly. “Don’t let her strain it and she’ll be fine in about twelve days. The cut will take a little longer but the gel with sort out infection and speed up the healing process. Other then that, she should be fine.” Stranger nodded, his arms folded. Gershom inclined his head and left. When the door shut behind the healer, Stranger turned glowing green eyes on Bailey, Bailey tried to smile appeasingly but Stranger shook his head.
“Not this time Bailey.” He said sternly. Bailey sagged slightly.
“Sorry Stranger.” Stranger sighed and came closer, sitting on the bed.
“I was worried about yer kid.” He said, “I don’t want yer ter get hurt.” Bailey nodded morosely and stared at the blanket, drawing circles with a finger on the fabric. “Yer know it’s ‘coz I love yer.” Stranger went on, Bailey nodded again, “And I’m proud of yer fer savin’ Loki,” Bailey looked up at him, “But yer ain’t gonna be lucky every time.” He said sternly, but gently. “One day yer gonna do somat reckless and yer ain’t gonna come out of it. And I don’t want ter lose yer kiddo.” Bailey nodded, dropping her gaze,
“I understand.” Stranger gave another sigh and rose.
“Yer ain’t leavin’ this house until further notice. Yer understand Bailey?” Bailey nodded again, it was a fitting punishment really. And she knew it was only because Stranger cared. Stranger chewed the inside of his cheek and paused at the door, looking at Bailey again, feeling a confusion of mixed emotions, regret and pity and empathy for how Bailey must be feeling and compassion, but most importantly, love, this was why he had to do what he must. He hated shutting Bailey in, but it was for her own good. He couldn’t bear to see her hurt again.
“It’s fer yer own good liddle darlin’,” he thought,
“It’s only because I love yer so much.” He let out a breath through his nose, “Bailey?” Bailey looked up at him, but Stranger shook his head, “It don’t matter.” He said thickly. He made to leave;
“Stranger?” he turned, Bailey was looking at him, “It was something I had to do…” she whispered, “I’m sorry, but I can’t help it…I can’t stop being who I am…” Stranger’s expression became pained he came back to the bed and dropped to his knees,
“Oh my Bailey,” he sighed, “I don’t want yer ter change.” He stroked back her fringe, “I wouldn’t change who yer are, not fer anythin’, I jist want yer to be careful.” There was a silence and Stranger put his arms around Bailey, “Yer know I love yer, don’t yer liddle darlin’.” He said. Bailey smiled quietly to herself and moved one arm over Stranger’s.
“Yeh, yeh I know. I love you too yer big lug.” Stranger squeezed her gently and chuckled.
¤§¤
Bailey was once again woken by something not truly there. She woke up slowly and recognising the feeling sat up. The darkness of her room obscured her vision but even though she could not see, she knew who was there. There was a sound, like a softly exhaled breath and a whispered voice;
“Out blood pact is sealed and I am content, keep your Steef little one. Your courage has saved him from me. And I will not be back for him, for many years, so rest little one. You have nothing to fear from me, until the next time you defy me.”
“Until the next time.” Bailey said, there was a soft, hissing chuckle and then silence. Bailey listened to Stranger’s snores in the other bed next to hers. She smiled and lay down. “Until next time.”
And there would be a next time…