Elizabeth did as the girl said. Then, Katherine lifted her in a princess carry. The girl didn't even have a hard time doing that. And now, Elizabeth was surprised to find a large torso. The young girl was indeed having broad shoulders.
A few minutes later, they arrived at the pharmacy. After the first aid, Elizabeth was found to be healthy. While her injured knee was taking care of, Elizabeth watched Katherine as she spoke to the pharmacist, who was bandaging her scattered hand.
“You are here again. What a surprise...”
The pharmacist was an old woman. Her hazel eyes, which were slightly covered by a lock of her short white hair, were very suitable for this face with sharp features. The woman's cheeks were slightly sunken in. However, what caught Elizabeth's eye the most was the woman's upright posture, she had not changed her posture since they entered. It was as if there was a soldier in front of her.
Katherine rubbed the back of her neck. It seemed as if the woman was scolding her, and Katherine's actions were like a mischievous child.
“Hahaha… I am sorry Mrs. Helen…”
“Don’t be sorry, learn from your mistakes. Dear lord, this kid… Anyways, you scattered your hand. Do not remove the bandage for a while.”
“Okay, thank you so much.”
“Also, your friend has no major problems except scratches and bruises. But… What happened to you two?”
As soon as Katherine opened her mouth, Elizabeth interrupted her and answered the question herself.
“Oh, we just met at the park nearby. I was drunk and I tried to go down the stairs, but I tripped. She tried to hold me.” She was wearing her usual expression, a small polite smile, an innocent demeanour… She was always like this in front of people, so she was used to it.
After a short silence, Katherine approved Elizabeth's words. She didn't object to her lie. But she sure was aware that the girl was staring at her.
“This girl here always tries to help those around her, even if something might happen to her. That's how she is.” The pharmacist looked at Katherine over her glasses, "I hope you'll stop getting into trouble soon, I mean it. I understand your energy comes from your age but cool down sometimes. I couldn’t scold you well last time, so I’m giving all of them to you tonight."
“Of course, Mrs. Helen. I am sorry to bother you.”
Mrs. Helen put her hand on Katherine’s shoulder, “You are not bothering me, Katherine. You are a good kid. This is why I am telling you all these. And I'm proud of you for saving this lady from a bad injury.” She patted on Katherine’s shoulder.
After taking the pack of first aids that Mrs. Helen forcefully gave them without taking any money, they left the pharmacy. As soon as they stepped outside, Elizabeth yawned.
"She is certainly not homeless, judging by her appearance. What should I do now?" Katherine thought to herself. “It’s... already pretty late. Let me escort you to your home, miss.”
"Home…", Elizabeth remembered leaving home like a storm just a couple of hours ago. First, the anger that filled her whole body turned into sadness, then gradually into panic, and finally into great fear. She was alone. Neither her parents, nor her brothers were here. She had no one. However, when she was with them, she had never felt their presence anyway. Or maybe it was their presence that she felt the most. They were so present, so influencing and controlling her life that Elizabeth could not imagine a life without them. Now there were none. She had abandoned them all. She had abandoned her family, who abandoned her the day she was born.
“I…” she whispered as if she was stating a fact to herself, “I can’t go there.”
"So, she ran away from her home." was Katherine's second assumption. She waited for the woman to continue, but Elizabeth didn’t do that. And Katherine didn’t ask for an explanation. She didn’t want to push the woman to talk if she doesn’t want to. She directly tried to find a solution, “Since… There were no bag or purse with you at the park, I assume you don’t have your phone with you. Do you remember any phone number? Someone I can call for you? Your family or friends-”
Elizabeth interrupted her “I don’t.” there were sadness in her blue eyes. “I don’t have anyone.”
"What should I do...?", Katherine saw the woman’s trembling lower lip behind her golden hair. Somehow, she got goosebumps from that view. Was that a vision again? Why was it like she sees someone...?
She quickly tried to pull herself together, “I don’t have enough money with me for a hotel, sadly. I may be overstepping but, my house is near this area. You can… be my guest.”
Elizabeth wanted to protest but remained silent. She had no money. Her only options were to stay with a stranger or sleep on the streets. She swallowed, “Are you taking people you don't even know into your house? Aren't you afraid that I might be dangerous?”
Katherine looked directly into the woman's eyes. Suddenly, Elizabeth saw a darkness in the girl's eyes. It was so fast that she wasn't even sure if she was seeing it right. But the beating of her heart quickened a little. Then the girl changed her aura right away and smiled like before, “You're the first one though.”
Elizabeth was biting her lip and overthinking every single scenario while alcohol was blurring all of her thoughts the moment they appear. She was almost like fighting with her own brain. She jumped with a gentle finger touched her chin. Which made her look right into Katherine’s brown eyes.
Katherine’s gaze fall down from Elizabeth’s surprised eyes to her swallowed lips, and then she frowned “I am sorry, but please stop biting your lips. You are going to make them bleed...” she let her chin go “I am not trying to push you or anything.”
“I- I understand.” She broke their eye contact, “But you've already done so much for me.”
“It’s okay. I am just trying to give you some time to breath.”
Elizabeth didn't normally talk about herself to others. At least, she only shared the good things. She always kept her problems to herself. She would collect them inside a jar and would not open the lid to anyone. In fact, when she was young, she had tried to ask her family for help. However, in the end, she regretted doing that and gave up.
“Then… I will pay you right away when I’m… able to.”
Katherine laughed a bit “Okay.”
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