Darkness began falling upon the land, rain, wind and thunder covered the skies, the ground Red was walking upon became muddy and sticky. The forest seemed to go on for days without end, the howls of hungry wolves can be heard in the distant, surrounding him, like prey to the slaughter house. He stopped walking and held his ground, drawing his sword, the echo of the blade warned all predators he wasn't backing down. Red carried on walking like normal, his hair flattened and his clothes were heavy because of the rain. A small shiver emerged from his body as the cold started setting in. After a couple of minutes walking, he saw a lantern outside a small wooden hut. There was smoke emerging from a small metal chimney and stacks of wood outside by the windows. Alerted he carefully makes his way to the front door. Checking around before knocking, Red placed the sword into its scabbard and knocked 3 times before waiting in the rain. No one seemed to answer, so Red once again tried to go for the knock but the door suddenly opened slightly and he heard a little child's voice,

"Can I help you mister?",

Red glanced down and sees a small little girl standing before him. Suddenly a shout came from within the house,

"Maria, what are you doing? Do not to go out in this rain" the voice came from an older woman as she opened the door "I told you, you'll get drench-",

Suddenly the woman came upon Red's eyes. She was beautiful, gorgeous abyss black hair with  light blue eyes. Her face was undamaged by age and her body sleek and slender. As she laid eyes on Red, she quickly grabbed the child and moved her behind her legs as to protect her. The woman examined the wet and cold man standing in front of her door, the beautiful white cotton had turned into a muddy brown, trousers were tattered and his hair was a mess. The rain kept pouring down on him like the Gods have opened the heavens. The woman took a protective stance behind the door and with worry in her voice she asked,

"I'm sorry sir, can I help you?",

Red widened his eyes and she took notice of the red in them, quickly she reacted,

"Vampire or Werewolf? Either way you're not welcome here",

Red shook his head in denial and opened his mouth to show her his teeth. Just like any normal human they were clean and straight with no fangs emerging from his canines. He then showed her his hands, although muddy she could tell there were no long nails or bone deformities around his knuckles. She then slowly opened the door slightly and asked him,  

"Well then, who or what are you? And what do you want?",

Red started to shake vigorously and tightened his body. With a stutter in his voice he replied,

"May I please come into your abode? At least to get some warmth. I've been traveling for hours and as you can see I'm very cold. I mean no harm to you or the child, I simply would like to sit by the fire",

The woman said nothing, instead she averted her eyes towards the sword. She looked at it and using her right hand, she signaled Red to give the sword to her. Red raised the sword slightly and whispered to it before handing her the weapon. She then widened the door,

"Take your shoes off before stepping in" she told him leaving the door open and going into another room,

As Red reached the doorway, he slipped his feet out of his shoes and left them outside. As he took the first step into the house, a sudden beige towel came flying at him hitting his chest. He quickly reacted and grabbed it, the woman stood in front of him with a stern expression in her face,

"Clean yourself before coming in, I just cleaned the house. The door on the far right at the end of the hall, go through it. A bath is running for you",

"Much obliged, miss?",

"Dealt, Amelia Dealt",

Red bowed and then crouched down, cleaning his feet with the towel then his ankles. He folded the towel and proceeded to walk to the bathroom. He was cold and shivering so much he wasn't even paying attention to his surroundings. As he reached the door, he turned the doorknob clockwise and entered through. There was 3 small candles by the bath in front of him lighting the room. A toilet with a bucket of water were located at his left while a small desk with a basin full of water and a mirror to his right. He forced his trousers onto the floor and quickly took of his shirt. He stared at the bandage for a second before ripping it off. As he stood completely nude suddenly there was a knock on the door,

"May I come in?" The woman asked outside,

Red quickly wrapped the towel around his lower half and replied "Of course",

Amelia slowly opened the door, as she stood there, she took a quick glance at Red and quickly averted her eyes,

"Im sorry I didnt-",

"Its okay, you may look. Is there something you need?",

As she veered her eyes back at Red, she noticed a lot of blood emerging from a wound in his lower abdomen, she noticed his muscles were teared, cuts and bruises all over his body. Amelia got closer to him, the top of her head reached his chin. Resting her left hand on his wound, Red let out a restrained groan,

"I'll tend to your wounds when your finished, I'll bring you some dry clothes after. The storm seems like it'll last abit so you may take the spare room",

A gentle smile came upon Red's face,

"But as soon as dawn hits the mountains, I want you out of here",

"As you wish",

"Now hurry, coffee is brewing" she quickly said before turning around and heading towards the doorway,

As Amelia was about to shut the door behind her, Red quickly said,

"Miss Dealt... thank you",

The door closed. Red dropped the towel and got into the bath. The hot water hit his wounds like steel blades, a sensation of a thousand needles hit his entire body.

After a couple of minutes of laying in the water and Red washing himself, he emerged from the bath. Looking back at it, the water was red just like his blood. He pulled a drain at the side of the bath and the water quickly dispersed. Once again there was a knock,

"Yes?",

"Amelia told me to bring you some pants" said the little girl,

"Maria was it?",

"Correct",

"Leave them by the door I'll-" suddenly Red felt lightheaded and a large thump was heard from outside the door,

"Hello? Mister?",

Red could hardly see, moving his right hand, he looked towards his stomach and a pool of blood was starting to form on the ground around him, suddenly the door burst open, Red's eyes slowly shut, Amelia and Maria were standing in front of him but he soon lost consciousness,