Preys and Predators Part 1 Chapter 8

 

8              Rosa.

 

Rosa Quasi stood on the balcony of the doctor’s unit, situated three levels above the street level. She could make out the rows of houses with the smoking chimneys there, despite the foggy cover there. She had stayed there for over a month and already missed home. The valley was sacred to the ones who knew of it, but there will always be the curious and adventurous ones who will intrude. And the mercenaries. The count was not without his adversaries; with his fame came more trouble.

Other than that, life in the valley was slower-moving, and most days she spent training her fighting skills or hunting besides the kitchen activities. It was the norm there for the young generations to fend for themselves. A day in the castle was not only about the cleaning and cooking but also knowing the hidden doors to the tunnels, which was one of the designs of the castle in case of an attack inside. Rosa also used her time to navigate her way there and the close fighting skills. Her trainers are her family members who were trained by their parents in the art of savate, French kickboxing, and canne d'arme, short stick fighting. Due to her agility, she developed the acrobatic skills in jumps and rope grappling.

“Do you miss your home?” Rosa turned to look and saw it was the doctor. “And it was another lovely dinner. I must take you to try the offerings here as a gesture of thanks. There are some good restaurants who serves nice dishes.”

“Thank you for the offer, but I will decline. My service here is to the Count, and I am fine by that.” The lady smiled. She saw the dejected expression on the host and decided to ask him her own queries.

“How about a walk at the nearby park?” The doctor offered. “It will be a short walk.”

“The Count?” Rosa asked.

“I already told him, and he is okay with it.” Doctor Jekyll lied about it. The Count was in his room, and most times, he remained there till late morning. Or when the doctor calls him for the tests they were doing.

Rosa agreed to the walk and grabbed her shawl. She was dressed in the white off-shoulder blouse and flare skirt with the wooden sandals. She had hair that was long to her shoulders, pinned by the scarf at the top. They took the walk across the street and then into the adjacent park. It was a late evening; the park was empty of any walking patrons. They walked beside each other, but a decent distance was kept between them. The park was lined with bushes of flowers, and there were rows of trees there, with the occasional bench for the tired legs.

“What do you do, Doctor Jekyll?” Rosa asked. “I saw the bottles and the tubes, but I am curious.”

“I …… I do research work for the government. I conduct research in the field of chemistry. On some occasions, I do other personal works for friends or for myself.”

“Can you share with me your own works?” Rosa asked again. “I am just curious.”

“Well, I... I could tell you, but you must not disclose it to anyone.” Doctor Jekyll looked at the lady who nodded. “I am developing a love potion to attract young lovers.”

“You are making fun of me.” Rosa smiled.  “Perhaps you did for your …... lover?”

“Lover? I have none. I am mor focus on my works here. I have little time to socialise and more to it, the ladies I met found me ……. Uncouth to their likings.”

“You are not married? I was just curious. How could...”

“No, I am not, and without any chance I may tell you. I am a recluse and …….”

Two burly men stepped out into their path. They wore workmen's attire, but they held the nasty expressions that meant trouble for the couple. They had their sleeves rolled up their arms and smelled of cheap whiskey.

“Here is a gweiadur (girl in Welsh).” The one on the left voiced out. “Would you be mine?”

“She is ciwt (cut in Welsh).” The other remarked to his pal. “Say, old chap. You would not mind if we spoke to her.”

“How dare you...” Doctor Jekyll rushed at the two men, but he was not a fighter. He was grabbed by the one on the left by the arms and tossed to the side.

“Stay there, you anneallus (stupid in Welsh).” The one who tossed the doctor spoke out. “Be like a bampa (grandfather in Welsh) for the next hour. We want to talk to your girl.”

Rosa went into action with the run towards the man who tossed the doctor. She leapt and delivered the ‘fouette’ (the front kick) at the man’s chin. The toes of her right feet strengthen from days of practice impacted on the chin to throw the man backwards. She dropped onto the man with the knee thrust at the chest. When she landed on her feet, she did a low round kick at the second man at the back of the knees. The man went down onto his haunches, and Rosa landed the left punch into the side of the man’s head. The man on impact reeled sideways and slumped to the ground.

Rosa was then to return to the first man with a series of punches at the face, drawing blood before she turned to focus on the second man, who was crouched there, and had the round kick impacted on the left side of his face.

“Rosa ……” The lady stopped her attacks when she heard her name called by the doctor. She rushed over to the doctor, who had regained his steps. He held his walking cane but the fight was over.

“I am fine, Rosa. What did you do?”

“A taste of my frustration from being cooped up.” Rosa replied. The doctor put on a weak smile and then was helped by the lady.

“We must leave. There could be more of his friends.” Doctor Jekyll pulled Rosa by her left hand. It was his first flesh contact on the lady since they met. Their greetings were formal when they meet. Rosa led herself be pulled back to the street. There at the street, they saw no coppers but some rushing passerby. Doctor Jekyll led the lady across the street back to the unit.

At the park, the two burly men sat up, dazed by the attack, then saw a shadow over them.

“Gentlemen, you failed.” The shadowy figure spoke out. “Now you are doomed.” 

"Have mercy, my lord.” The call for mercy was drowned by the savagery of the attack.