Page 46 of Raw

“Didn’t have anything on me.”

“You should’ve had something on you. Always have to,” Papa told him in a murmur.

He was sitting by the fire, sewing together pieces of fabric to create small curtains for his cabin.

It didn’t take up much space, as it wasn’t too big, but it was enough for him to sleep in and store all of our food and clothes.

“I couldn’t have pulled it up here on my own, and leaving it there would’ve easily attracted other animals.”

“You should have weapons on you in case you get attacked,” Papa replied, turning his head to look at Fennec.

“I was careful,” he sighed, placing the canister filled with water next to the fire. “At least we have more water now.”

“What’s for dinner?” I asked, wanting to change the subject but also ease the tension between them.

My hopes of them getting along again were lost, because even after these months, they were still acting strange around each other.

“Got some leftover meat from lunch,” Papa answered.

I nodded and turned back to scoop up more snow, shoving it aside and then leaning the shovel against the tree trunk closest to me.

A sharp pain made me place my hand against my lower belly, sighing at the recognition of that feeling.

My menstruation had always hurt, but luckily not so much that I had to use painkillers.

It was annoying, especially in the winter.

Papa had promised to create an actual toilet next to the cabin where I could change my pads whenever I needed to without having to stand in the cold.

“You okay, Ves?” Fennec asked, and when I turned to look up at him, he was standing closer to me than before.

“Yeah, cramps,” I told him with a crooked grin.

His eyes moved to my hand on my belly, and when he looked up, he puckered his lips. “Need something against the pain?” he asked.

This wasn’t the first time I got my period out here.

“No, it’ll go away in a few hours. But I think I’ll go lay down a little if that’s okay?”

“Of course. I’ll call you when dinner’s ready.”

I smiled at him and nodded, then headed up the ladder to lay down for a while.

I didn’t hear them talk much, but them being quiet was better than having them fight over something stupid.

*

I opened my eyes hours later, realizing I had slept through dinner.

When I pushed my blanket off my body and crawled over to the opening of the treehouse, I looked down to find Fennec sitting by the fire all alone.

“What time is it?” I asked, making him turn his head toward me.

“Hey, sleepyhead. You missed dinner,” he stated. “It’s almost ten.”

“Oh. Why didn’t you wake me?” I asked as I put my boots back on before heading down.

“You were sleeping so peacefully. Didn’t want to bother you. Are you still in pain?” he asked, his eyes moving to my belly.

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