Goal of the day: 901 words. Written: 935.
The stone sighed and flashed less.
- Joe. Or just call me Joe.
"Joe.1/
Something clicked in my head. From a tongue-in-cheek name to a name that probably everyone could pronounce and remember.
"Joe," I repeated. - Are you OK?
"No, do I look like I'm fine?" - as always, there was a hint of sarcasm in his voice, - I just... When I don't have the strength, I fall asleep. And I used all my strength.
The stone fell silent.
- And where are we? he added. "I only remember how..."
He barely blinked.
"What happened to the Stone?" Why is he so weak?”
- How? - I felt scared again.
"Never mind," he snapped, "I have something more important to say." I'm so sorry I kept it from you.
I gulped. Gabrielle must have heard me while I was sleeping, because now at least I had saliva to swallow.
"I get my strength from your blood."
“Blood?? Mine??'
– …What? - I rolled my eyes. Pulling the Stone a little further away from her.
It seems that I scared Naoki with my reaction, because he immediately rushed to explain himself on speed talk:
"Well, not necessarily your blood, but I was revived by your blood and your blood is very tasty and I wanted to help you fight so I pumped it." I…
Joe paused, probably waiting for my reaction.
I didn't know how to react. And to be honest, I felt used. Like waking up in the dark dungeons of some Arena, or like being used for some rough fight at the top of the Arena, or like waking up here a moment ago.
"But he also helped me a little..."
- You could have said! - maybe I shouted in a slightly too complaining voice.
"And he could seriously say that!" Why didn't you tell me?"
"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" - I added immediately.
The stone flashed a slightly brighter pink.
"I didn't mean to scare you!" Oh and… You just held my hand that was already bleeding. And you woke me up from that boring hell hole under the Arena.
“The hole under the Arena… How long has he been there?”
I was just looking at this Stone. Then I placed it on a nearby shelf on the wall and looked around. I needed to think about what to do with this Stone.
"After all, the blood was mine, and he took it and sucked it... That's probably why I bled, as Gabrielle said!"
I felt that I could no longer trust this Stone. I couldn't before, I can't now either - what else can he do to me and not tell me? Take over my body? Do something with it? How to use me at all? I didn't even know what kind of creature, thing or person he was!
"Hey, I'm sorry!" I heard Joe's quiet voice from deep within him.
I turned to look at the pile of clothes still on the edge of the couch. Then, still not responding to the gun's words, I stood up, rubbed my bandaged body and the more bathing parts, got a little ready and took my clothes and started to dress them.
It was a solid cloth outfit of gray with red angular stripes. It seems stronger than the one I wore first. Surprisingly, these pants and the hooded jumper suddenly pulled out a bit when put on and fit perfectly. I moved my arms and legs, which was really good.
The stone said nothing more to me and was silent. Or maybe he got so weak that he didn't say anything at all. But as I understood - if somehow I gave him blood again, he should recover... And when he recovers, he doesn't know what to do.
After getting dressed, I still lacked shoes or something else on my feet. I looked around the room. Then I went around the sofa.
"Ah, something like that!"
I bent down to the wall with some vague objects attached to it. I didn't want to delve into why those things were needed, because there were more important things I could delve into.
I pulled out two white low and flexible shoes from under the red rocking chair. They somehow went surprisingly well with the rest of the outfit, or so it seemed to me.
And then the door of the room suddenly opened with a crash. Gabriele ran through them with two bags. I guessed food.
- Oh, you've made up your mind! Suits you. - she stated, seeing me holding the shoes in my hands and bowed her head, - Yes, you can take the shoes if they fit your feet. I forgot to find them for you before I left.
Then she bowed her head, as if acting, and marched with the food to the table at the other end of the room. Bending over, I squatted down and started to weave my shoes.
"I wonder what will happen now and what she has planned for me?"
- I brought some burgers. One of unicorn meat, the other of mammoth. I hope you eat meat? - she asked, obviously already too late, because she had already bought and brought the food.
- Yes, I eat! - I nodded my head. I had no idea what the animals were and what their meat was, because I didn't remember anything about it. But the worm in the stomach demanded anything. Eating is important.
Finally, I put on my shoes and stood up. The shoes, although maybe a little tight, fit. Still better than running in just the socks I wore in the Arena or being barefoot in general. Even before going outside here, indoors, the feet had started to get cold.
I walked over to Gabrielle, who was sitting at a small round table on one leg, next to the windowsill and the closet from which she was pulling my clothes.
I sat down and looked at the food. Gabriele was already stuffing her burger into her mouth, and in front of me was a similar-looking sandwich placed on a plate.
- Oh! Forgive me! - Gabriele stopped to eat with her mouth full, covering it with her hand, - I didn't ask which of the burgers you would prefer! I'm sorry!
"It's okay," I shook my head, "I don't care." Thanks for the food.
I touched the burger with my finger. Something in the stomach rumbled loudly, and when Gabriela tried to smile with her mouth full and started chewing again, I got to work too.
"My God! Food!”
The sandwich was delicious, very delicious. Although I paid little attention to the taste, because I wanted to finish the meal. Perfect.
I looked at Gabriela as I finished eating. She was looking at me. Embarrassed, I looked out the window. But after a moment I looked at her again. She was still looking at me.
She snorted, apparently seeing my confusion.
- Are you ashamed? she asked with her mouth full and several pieces of food flew out and landed on the table, "How's the outfit?" Comfortable?
I gave a silent, energetic nod. This sandwich was surprisingly filling. Or my stomach had shrunk to the size of a poppy from not eating for a long time and nothing could fit in it. However, realizing that I don't know when I will get to eat again, I stuffed food slowly and forcefully.