Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 7

instead of laughing… and got the hell off his high horse before I come round and knock him off it…"
    A few consecutive bangs resounded from the cupboard as the stranger flexed and punched and kicked in exasperation. The cabinet and its door, made of the local oaks, stood firm against the barrage of blows and failed contortions. Jeremy continued to stand his ground, his grin melting into a sweet sympathetic smile at the obvious attempt of intimidation: it only endeared the stranger to Jeremy further. He could not refuse to help those in need, especially one who has found himself in such a unique position – figuratively and literally.
    After the blows reduced to a stop, Jeremy spoke to the stranger with a soft, but firm voice, "I don't mind you taking what food you need. I do mind you taking the chocolate – that is mine – so you need to ask permission, assuming I grant it, before you can have some. You did pass the boundary Wall and enter in uninvited; so slow down, calm down, stop and listen to me. Pace yourself, be ready for the consequences of your actions and then we can both be civil. Is that reasonable?"
    The stranger growled menacingly, "I am not going to the police 'civilly' you aristocratic idiot – no silver platter of yours can fit me – and…"
    Jeremy, shaking his head (slightly bemused at the out-dated term "police"), interrupted, his voice growing harder, "I said nothing about the police . That is, unless you give me no choice – like I am giving you now. So stop with the attitude and get away from the chocolate! There is nothing the police can do that I am not able to do or provide here: food, lodging, semi-amiable company and opportunity for reflection. Possibly a kick up the backside if I'm not happy with the improvements! Is that understood?"
    With a soothing voice he continued, "Here, take this as you seem to have no clothes." Jeremy moved forward and handed the baking tray to the brooding stranger. The stranger's thigh and buttock muscles quickly tensed and flexed in frustration and indignation at his vulnerable position, hiding behind the cabinet door.
    Jeremy continued keeping his eyes focused away from the stranger standing behind the cabinet door, "I had to guess your size, so I erred on the side of safety. Try it on for size so you do not have to hide behind the cupboard door anymore. And I hope you know how to clean because this place is a mess. That will be your punishment. I'm going upstairs now to get you some clothes and cleaning supplies – nothing else – so stop being rude and get used to how I express myself."
    Without further ado, Jeremy completely turned away. The stranger gingerly took the tray from Jeremy's hand as he left the kitchen and trod lightly up the stairs. The stranger quickly covered himself with the tray Jeremy had passed to him as he realised Jeremy's insinuation, watching the exiting lithe figure of the owner.
    As Jeremy's soft footsteps ascended the steps, with a slight overwhelmed shuffle, the stranger stood and stretched. He quickly blitzed through the kitchen, piling everything into the edges of the room to quickly finish his task, not thinking of the slight hint of a crease in the saturated trousers covering the owner's arse as he left the room.
    When the stranger thought the place was cleared enough to walk through, if one ignored all the spilled foods and fluids, he stood awkwardly waiting to be dismissed. Uncomfortably shifting on his feet and clenching his hands, he moved and assumed a position behind the island counter like Jeremy had. He pursed his lips tighter, not amused, at the owner of the property's alarmingly perceptive and refreshingly modest mind. This was why he did as he was told, the stranger quickly reasoned – nothing else.
    CHAPTER 4 – The Surrender
    So hungry.
    So exhausted.
    My enigmatic sharp sense for self-preservation and ability for camouflage seem to save me from a danger that I wasn't aware of in this unknown land. I don't doubt it – it was proven, fortunately, by all the times it had saved my hide and skin. If only it wasn't so tiring to be alert all the time. But my skin is kind of important to me.
    I found a trail after the Wall, so I stayed off it, scouting parallel to it into the unknown territory. No one knows what's beyond the Wall – the greatest defence in centuries – and if it could save me. So that is why I went over: to see if there is a salvation in this diseased world.
    And thank the heavens for