Had a really weird dream last night and wrote the beginning to a story from it. This is the rough draft, I only did a spellcheck so grammatical errors haven't been fixed yet.
Words ~ 1300
Elara was walking down the street, heading home from her job as a counselor. Argo, her loyal German shepherd trotting by her side, when a man brushed past her. She paused for a moment, caught by surprise with the fear she felt coming from him. It only took a moment before she took off down the street after him, her hero instincts kicking in. She reached out, trying to send soothing emotions over him. He paused, looking down at her and she was caught off guard by his intense expression. She didn't see anything after glancing around for whatever danger he'd been running from.
“Come with me,” she urged, pulling him into a nearby store. He followed reluctantly to duck behind a shelf. His frame was much larger than hers and now that she got a better look at him, he seemed exhausted. Deep circles hung from his deep blue eyes, his face framed by long hair that had been neglected for some time. Argo watched him closely as he'd been trained and the man eyed him warily.
“It's okay,” Elara said softly, moving her hand. Argo sat down, ears still perked. “What's your name?” She asked. The man shook his head, his fear bubbling up again. Elara nodded. “Do you know sign language?” The man glanced up as the bell on the door rang. It didn't appear to be who he was running from as he had no other reaction. What am I doing? She thought to herself. Here she was with a strange man, a very strong man by the looks of him.
“Argo, guard,” she said, gesturing to the man. Argo only hesitated for a moment before dutifully taking a stance next to the stranger. “He'll walk beside you. If anyone tries anything, he'll attack,” Elara explained. The man's emotions mixed into curiosity and gratefulness. With that, Elara led him out of the shop and towards her house. “I'm an empath,” Elara explained. “I can feel your emotions. That's how I know you're in trouble. You don't have to come with me, but I think you should.”
To her relief, he nodded. Smiling gently, she unlocked the door and led him inside. She wondered for a moment what she should do first. He clearly needed a shower and some clean clothes but he was probably hungry too. Deciding quickly, she led him upstairs.
“I'll make some food while you get cleaned up. Here's a towel and I have some clothes from the community center I'm supposed to bring to the clothes bank. They won't mind me giving them to you.” She told him. He hesitantly took the pile from her hands. “You can stay as long as you need.”
Leaving him to it, Elara made her way to the kitchen, her footsteps nearly silent on the linoleum floor. Her fridge was nearly bare, reminding her that she needed to go grocery shopping soon, although her thoughts were on the stranger upstairs. Argo paced at the kitchen door, clearly uncomfortable with a stranger in the house.
“It'll be okay,” Elara told him. “Just for a few days until we figure out where he came from.” Argo didn't seem satisfied with the explanation, his pacing increasing. Sighing, Elara put some pasta in a pot to boil. “Look at me, jumping right back into being a hero,” she mused to herself.
It had been years since she'd been involved in the world of heroes and villains. Even though she'd been warned not to, she couldn't stop helping those in need around her. Besides, it wasn't like she couldn't take care of herself and one man wouldn't compromise her witness protection.
Elara sensed rather than heard the man approach. She glanced over at him with a smile. Argo stopped his pacing and walked up to him, tail wagging. Elara glanced at him, relieved that Argo had finally made up his mind. Pouring out the boiling water, Elara poured some sauce over the noodles.
“I'm sorry I don't have more. Usually I like garlic bread but I need to go grocery shopping.”
The man looked at her, smiling for the first time since they met. She filled her own plate before giving him the spoon, an invitation to help himself. In her years of social work, she had learned the importance fostering independence even in the smallest acts. Even now, he looked unsure of himself, hesitantly spooning a small amount onto his plate. As they ate, Elara noted how the man sat, straight-backed, arms properly by his sides. It was a contrast to the informal settings she'd become used to. It must have to do with his background. She wondered who he was and how he'd come to be. He noticed her staring and she flushed with embarrassment, looking back down at her own plate.
“I'm sorry,” she admonished. She stood to refill their drinks. To her surprise, he held up his hand to stop her. “Is something wrong?” Concern coloring her voice.
He shook his head, standing to grab the water pitcher. With care, he refilled their drinks before sitting back down.
“Thank you,” she said, taking a sip to emphasize her appreciation. He gave another smile and she vowed she'd do whatever it took to see it more often.
After dinner she cleared the plates away and the man once again took initiative to help. He scrubbed the dishes as she dried them and put them away.
“I appreciate your help, but I don't want you to think you have to. You are a guest here,” she said. He shrugged, although his focus on the dishes intensified. She watched him for a moment, wondering how he was going to communicate. Despite her attempts earlier, it was obvious the man didn't know sign language. “Can you read and write?” She asked. He looked up, surprised at the question. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded and she rummaged through a drawer looking for a pad and pencil. He dried his hand and took the pencil, looking at it. For a moment, Elara thought he wouldn't but then he wrote, “My name is Alec.”
“Alec,” Elara said softly. “It's nice to meet you.”
A mixture of relief and gratitude flowed through Alec and Elara smiled. His fear wasn't completely gone but for now it had settled. Curiosity flowed through her and she couldn't help but ask, “What were you running from?”
Alec's hand shook this time as he wrote slowly. She watched the words form on the page, horror and ice filling her.
“My owner.”
She couldn't believe the words on the page. It felt as though she'd been slapped. Owner? The word echoed in her mind. Her mouth opened but she closed it again as she thought about what to say. She looked back up to Alec, his eyes haunted. She could feel him closing off from his emotions, it was a reaction many had to traumatic pasts. Her resolve only strengthened to help him.
“I won't let them find you,” she said. “I promise, Argo and I will protect you.”
Alec started to write furiously now. Elara was surprised at the change in his composure. Up until now, he'd been withdrawn and formal. She glanced down at the words forming on the page. Shaking her head at his vehement refusal, she touched his hand. He jerked back, away from the touch and Elara let him retreat.
“Alec, I'm a tough girl. Believe me. I have some horrors in my past that I've escaped. I can help with yours. Besides, you're not some property to be reclaimed. You're a human being with thoughts and wants and needs,” She kept her voice low but determined.
After that, Alec put the pencil down and refused to take it again. Understanding his want of privacy, Elara let him go. She pulled out some blankets and transformed her couch into a bed.
“You can stay here for the night. Argo needs to go out before bedtime. I'll be in the backyard and you can come get me if you need anything, okay?” She waited for him to nod before turning away. Argo jumped up from his bed, tail wagging as she walked away.
