Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106646 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 533(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 355(@300wpm)
B'shit leans with her back against the side of the pit trap, against the packed snow. The tip of her nose and her cheeks are red, and when she looks up at me, there is no gratitude in her eyes. "I suppose you're here to throw this in my face?"
Why does she think I will fling things at her when I am here to rescue her? "I will throw nothing in your face," I tell her. "But this would not have happened if you were with me."
"Nothing in my face, huh?"
I gesture at the pit. "Were you not paying attention?"
"What, like I'm supposed to know that there was a pit here?" She glares up at me. "If you're here to laugh at me, get your laugh over with and then go back to your partner, all right? I don't want to deal with the bullshit today."
I ignore her words. "Are you going to stay down there all night?"
"Maybe."
With a sigh, I squat beside the pit. "Do not be stubborn. Let me help you climb out. I will throw down a rope for you, B'shit—"
She makes a sound of rage in her throat, her hands clenching to fists next to her face. "For the fucking thousandth time, that is not my name! Why can't you just say my fucking name?"
And she bursts into tears.
I go utterly still. I…made her cry? Because of her name? "Why are you upset?" I try to make my words gentle, but I am confused. "O'jek said you were not hurt."
"What, so I can ruin the game for him and he can hold it over my head for the rest of my life? No fucking thanks." She swipes at her cheeks angrily, still glaring up at me as if it is somehow my fault she is weeping. "Just go away if you're going to be like…this, all right?"
I gaze down at her, trying to understand. Something about this does not make sense. I am not the cleverest of hunters, but I feel as if the answer is obvious…and yet I am missing it. B'shit sits at the bottom of the pit and she has not moved. There is a pile of snow to the side of her, and it looks as if she is digging at the side of the pit within reach.
"I am going to throw the rope down to you," I try again.
"No." Her mouth purses up into that angry expression I know so well.
I grow even more suspicious. "It will be dark in a few hours, and cold."
"Then leave me your cloak. Otherwise, just shut up about it."
"You are going to stay out here all night?"
She shrugs and looks away, and sniffs.
As I gaze down at her, she swipes at her cheeks again and I realize more tears are leaking down her face. She does not want to be here at night, then. Why does she just not admit what is wrong if there is a problem? "Are you…hunting for animals at the bottom of the pit?"
B'shit gives me a withering look.
I gesture down at the pit. "Then what are you doing down there?"
"I'm taking a break, all right? Just…go away."
"Why are you taking a break down there?"
"Why won't you leave me alone?"
"Because you make no sense, that is why." A new thought occurs to me and I tilt my head, gazing down at her. "Stand up."
She ignores me.
"If you are not hurt, stand up and show me you can move around." An injury is the only reason I can think as to why she will not leave the pit.
"Go away," B'shit tells me again, her voice wobbly. She sniffs again.
I realize in that moment that she is injured…and that D'see would be very mad at me for how I am handling this. Did she not give me very clear instructions for how I am to talk to B'shit for when I saw her again? I am to compliment her and ask for things, to tell her I want to word her. Instead, I have made her cry.
Truly, I am bad at this. Guilt surges through me and I clear my throat, determined to try again. "B'shit…you are very beautiful today."
"What the fuck?" She looks up at me as if I am crazed.
I nod, hating that her eyes are reddened and swollen. Her nose is even brighter red, and I wonder if she has been crying since before I arrived, and now I feel even worse. She needs me, and instead, I am just making her even more upset. "Your braids are attractive. And your figure is very nice, even if you do not have a tail." I think for a moment and add, "And I like your teats."
She stares up at me, bewildered.
"Are you hurt?" I try again. I will not make words at her if she is in pain. I need to get her to the healer.