Chapter # 14

Zubie was visibly scowling at the fishing rod, trying to untangle it. God knows how the rod tangled itself before even hitting the water.

Abram states, "Be careful it's sharp---"

"Ouch!" Zubie glared at the cut on her pointer finger. The blood seeped through the slit, leaving trails of stains in its wake, "I think I'm done with fishing for now."

"Don't give up like that," Abram took a few steps towards her, "it's my fault, I am such a bad teacher." he grasped her hand, looking at the damage done by the fishing rod.

"It's alright, it's a mere cut."

"Do you have any bandaids?"

"Ye,s they are in the bucket."

Abram did not waste time searching for band-aids in her first aid kit. He unwrapped the dressing and sat beside the bench.

"Here, let me wrap it for you." He again grasped her injured finger, and with knitted brows, he placed the bandage over the cut. The tip of his tongue sticking out of his mouth in concentration. Zubie has never seen someone so focused while putting on a simple bandaid and she let out a little giggle at the sight.

"What?" He dabbed the dressing.

"Nothing,"

"Alright, there you go, it'll be gone as known in a few days. Do remember to change the dressing---"

"I know and I'm supposed to be the medic here, not you,"

"Right," bashful of his actions, Abram went back to his spot, the fishing rod grasped in his hand.

Zubie decided it was much safer on the wooden stool with no fishing rod in her hands. With her chin placed on the palms of her hand, Zubie observed the waters. The reds, yellows, and oranges from the sun give life to the lifeless waters of the lake.

Abram grunted, breaking her reverie, "I think I caught something!"

"Congratulations!"

He pulled the rod, the fish seem to be struggling but Abram proved to be stronger as he finally pulled the flapping fish out of the water. His excited shout resonated with Zubie's hearty chuckle, "oh my, it's a big one,"

"Indeed, I wonder how we'll cook it?" Abram pulled the hunting knife from its holster, knocking the fish lifeless with one strong blow.

"Roast on the fire!"

"If that's what you want," he threw the fish in the bucket, walking in the direction of a little bit by the lakeside, "Ana, look at this! This might be the biggest fish we've ever caught!"

Anaya peeked into the bucket her brother was holding to her face, an infectious grin on his way face.

"It's big but not the biggest, and you caught this one in a day? Da can catch a ten like these in an hour,"

"Of course, that's because Da is older, hence more experience in catching fish. I barely have twenty years of experience,"

"Excuses, anyways, I'll take it from here,"

"But you are injured..."

"No, I'm fine, besides you don't want my brother to cook or eat the concoction he'll make,"

"Huh?! I'm not that horrible!"

"No, you are the worst. Ma says only one who does not value their lives will consume the poison you make in the name of cooking," limping on her foot, Anaya pulled out spices from the little cabinets.

"It's well stocked for a place that's barely visited," Zubie commented.

"Oh no, it's visited often, like every weekend. Ma and Da join us for most days and sometimes some of Abram's buddies."

Abram added, "But it's not just us who visit the lake, most of the inhabitants of the town know of this place,"

"Right, It makes a perfect spot for spending weekends,"

"Agreed,"

"Zubie, mind handing me yogurt? It's supposed to be in that container over there," Anaya ordered, for a young girl she sure knew her way around the little kitchenette.

"Sure,"

"Where are you off to?" Abram halted on her feet at the inquiry of his sister. "just walk around the lake,"

"Take Zubie with you!"

"No, I'll stay to---"

"Nonsense! I'll take it from here, I'm a professional fish chef or whatever," the young girl smiled, her eyes meaningfully eying her brother.

"Leave her to it, Zubie, you'll only get in her way of creativity,"

"Okay,"

_____________________________

The sun could barely be seen under the huge trees of the woods surrounding the lake. Abram broke the silence, "it's getting pretty dark outside, we should head back---"

Zubie shivered, "yeah, it's also getting cold,"

"Really? I don't feel anything," he told her, "you can warm up by the fire when we get back, I wonder if Ana is done with the fish," Abram rumbled to himself, didn't notice the girl never followed him back.

"What are you doing here?!"

The ghost of the man named Aurelius didn't answer but looked her in the eyes, "what is it? Explain yourself now,"

He opened his lips to utter, "I was concerned, I'm sure this man isn't trustworthy,"

"Why is that?"

"Just a feeling,"

"You are a ghost, Aurelius, you are not supposed to feel any feelings,"

The man raised his brows, arms crossing in front of his chest, "right, I'm just a ghost who cannot know emotions but you are overlooking the fact that I was a human once just like you are,"

"Right, even though Abram is completely harmless I'll watch out for any possible murder plans he might have under his sleeves," the last part was uttered in sarcasm, "well, see you,"

Zubie left the sighing ghost man behind, Abram was already nowhere in sight. He was probably back in the hut already, 'Is she naive to trust a stranger?'

'well, she trusts you,' a voice whispered.

'That's different!' he debated with the nonexistent voice in his mind.

'How come?'

'I'm dead, he is not!'

'So, in your logic, you can only trust the dead?'

'Perhaps, the dead have nothing to gain from the living,'