4 Chapter 4: Count to fifty

Eve nodded, scooping a handful of medicine once again. By the time that she was done, her mother had already lit up a lamp. The little girl sat back, admiring her work from a distance with satisfaction. Although it had taken some time, she had done it quite well, she thought, mentally patting herself on the back. That was when she heard that familiar voice.

"Merrredditthhh!" her father called out drunkenly. "Where are you-you wretched- Aaargh!"

The scream was followed by the sound of clanging metal. Eve shrank back in fright, startled by the realization of what was about to happen. Her heartbeat skyrocketed as she pushed her back into the beast's stomach. A muffled cry escaped her chest as she looked at her mother with fearful eyes.

"Husshh," Meredith said, putting a finger to her mouth. "It's going to be okay."

Eve knew that her mother was only trying to reassure her, just like always. She was sure that neither her mother nor she would survive the night without at least a broken bone.

The insides of her nose burned as she suppressed the urge to cry. "B-but momma-"

Meredith quickly wrapped her daughter in a tight hug. "Like always, okay?" She whispered, drawing back to take a good look at her daughter. Her eyes welled with tears as she continued. "Count to fifty twice just like I taught you to. I'll be back in no time. Stay with him." She said, glancing at the beast with a sad smile.

Eve pouted, her little chest shivering from her suppressed sobs. Tears slipped out of her little green eyes, sliding down her pale cheeks, one drop after another in quick succession. She didn't want to let her mother go. But there was no choice.

Her father was bound to find the two of them at some point in the night. This was a fate that the two of them had accepted long ago. At five years, Eve knew that there was no escape from that madman. She blinked, trying to clear her hazy vision as her mother stood up and walked towards the barn door.

But unlike always, Meredith paused at the shabbily built wooden door. Eve watched as her mother stood a few feet away from her with her back towards her. There was a slight jerk on her shoulders before she turned hastily towards the little one.

Reaching out to douse the burning lamp, she lowered herself to one knee, leaning close to Eve. Pushing her long dark hair aside, Meredith brought her hands to the nape of her neck, removing the only piece of jewelry on her. Easing the thin golden band down the five-year-old's head, Meredith sighed, as if in relief.

Eve stared at the necklace that reached down her chest. A tiny crystal pendant hung loosely on it. This was another surprise for her. She had never seen such a valuable object before in her mother's hand. They had always been too poor to afford good clothes, let alone jewelry.

She wondered where it came from. And why was her mother giving it to her at this time? Before she could voice her concerns, her mother drew her into a tight hug. It came so suddenly that Eve forgot to breathe for a second.

"Hide if anyone comes in," Meredith whispered into her ears. "Don't let them see you."

The very next moment, her mother ran. She ran out of the barn, closing the door tightly behind her with no hesitation. She did not even look back once. Eve wanted to run to her. To hold tight to her and tell her to not go. But she was confused by her mother's words and scared of the drunk man outside. She felt cold and sick.

As she sat there staring at the closed door, the wolf stirred, lifting its head for the first time since the forest. Before she knew it, the creature lifted its paw, drawing the shivering child close to its chest protectively. With teary eyes Eve looked up at the beast, barely registering what was happening around her.

As the creature's warmth slowly seeped into her body, the little girl stopped shaking. She blinked, unconsciously craving to see the two bright orbs that were fixed onto her brimming emerald eyes. The tears slid down her cheeks, clearing her vision.

Eve's mouth slightly opened in a silent gasp as she was overcome with awe for the magnificent beast that was strangely holding onto her with much gentleness. Her little hands reached out to stroke the dark mass of silken fur that covered its body, that she had painstakingly brushed and cleaned all day while it was fast asleep.

For some reason that she knew not of, the presence of the wolf comforted her even while it intimidated her little mind more than she cared to admit. The pair of golden orbs that lit up the dark room held her heart in them, oddly looking as if it belonged not to an animal but to someone like her- a human.

The beast purred, rubbing the side of its face against her little hands. At that moment, the fear that unconsciously spread across her veins disappeared, replacing it with a warmth that set her at ease. A slow smile spread across the little girl's face, expanding more and more until it reflected in her eyes.

The dark did not scare her. The silence did not intimidate her. She felt safe in the presence of the wild animal. Eve sighed, wrapping her hands around the furry creature's neck, careful not to press against the bandage on its chest that she had painstakingly tied only a while ago.

"Mommy said that you'd be alright, Blanchette." She whispered, breathing into its soft fur. "It's going to be okay."

A low rumble rose from the creature's chest, as if in protest. But Eve did not notice it. Her eyes had already closed. Her heartbeat was slowly stabilizing. The little girl was fast asleep in the beast's hand even before she knew it.