The seeds we plant

Judith's POV:

My legs regained some of their vigor as I tried to slowly stand up. Despite managing to stand up, I still couldn't walk properly, so I just crawled towards the door and waited for the drug to wear off. As I waited for myself to be able to move again, a sudden tremor assaulted me as I stood leaning against the door. At first I was worried that it was some kind of earthquake, but I soon realized that it wasn't due to natural causes. The plants in the forest began to grow uncontrollably in all directions while crushing and tearing everything in their path. Not only did the flowers, but trees and bushes alike suddenly grew, crushing each other in a disorderly fashion. Despite this sudden outbreak, the flower field I was standing in didn't suffer the slightest damage. The roses and sunflowers surrounding me waved calmly in the wind while the plants in the forest twisted as if it were alive.

- I just hope this isn't a bad omen.

A few minutes later everything suddenly became quiet. The trees stopped growing and the forest ended in absolute silence. Impatient about the outcome of everything I stood up unsteadily while the drug had not completely been eliminated from my body. With an unsteady hand, I formed a circle with 2 of my fingers and reproduced a powerful whistle that resonated around me. A few moments later 4 pairs of legs were heard in the distance at full speed that were quickly approaching my position. Max and Terrence quickly appeared while carrying Nath and the drug addict on their backs and mouths respectively.

- Hey drug addict, tell me what happened.

The drug addict was hurt all over while her strange dress full of frills was on its last legs. Even in Max's mouth, she seemed stunned and in pain. A sigh came out of my mouth giving up on her and walking unsteadily towards where Nath was.

"…it seems like she's just asleep."

Little Nath was tightly clinging to Terrence's fur in what looked like a hug. Her expression was quite peaceful. A smile formed on my face before I realized it as I stroked her little head. A silly expression formed on her face as she seemed to talk in her sleep.

- Look at me, master…. I can do this too now…

- …So you can make expressions like that after all.

A warmth spread through my chest as I saw Nath like this. I looked over to where the drug addict was still confused. I walked over to her and patted her shoulder vigorously.

- Excellent work there.

- Ayyyyy

A loud groan of pain came out of her mouth as she came back to reality. Her gaze seemed somewhat accusatory.

- You really impressed me Carla, I didn't expect that you could actually calm Nath down.

- So you didn't have faith in me from the start…. Ah, that's right, apologize to me right now!

- … What stung you all of a sudden?

- Don't give me that "what are you talking about?" look, look at how I am because of your puppies!

At a closer look, aside from the cuts and scratches she had all over her body, you could clearly see that her knees and legs were scraped and bruised. That along with a good amount of mud and dust that was spread all over her body gave the impression that she had been dragged all the way here. I scratched my cheek uncomfortably as I looked away. A clear snort of dissatisfaction came from Carla as she looked at me piercingly.

- … Okay, I accept that my pups treated you very rudely so I'm sorry…

- … I really didn't expect an apology from you…

- Ughhh, I already apologized, so don't treat me like some savage who can't apologize!

Carla proudly puffs out her chest while looking at me in a contemptuous manner.

- … Max, do you want to drag her back?

- "Of course"

A happy response came from Max as he prepared his teeth to pounce on Carla. A clear expression of panic emerged from Carla as she slowly backed away. As if trying to defend herself, she stretched out her arms while vigorously waving them to prevent Max from getting closer.

- N-no, don't come closer. Get away!

A pathetic screech was all that was heard before the collar of her dress ended up between Max's teeth. Thick tears came out of her eyes as she begged for mercy.

- Hic… I'm sorry, hic, I was very shameless so I won't do it again, just have mercy!

Before Max left, I gave the order and he dropped her on the ground again. Then with a signal I asked him to carry her inside on his back. Max quickly grabbed Carla by the neck as she let out a scream of terror.

He finally threw her onto his back and started walking towards the door. Once inside I entered my room and gently placed Nath on the bed. I turned my gaze to where Max still had Carla on his back.

- And you Carla? Do you want to go to your room?

- I would like to, but I'm afraid I'm at my limit…

I sigh as I grab Carla by the collar of her dress and lead her to the armchair where Nath usually lays down to read. With a small groan, Carla squirms slightly on the armchair while I head to the bathroom where I get some of the disinfectant that Carla had given me last time.

- I had gotten this in case Nath fell and scraped his knees or something, but who knew it would be useful right now?

Going back to the room I find Carla making herself comfortable as if she were going to sleep on the armchair. I look at her exasperated as I sit down next to her.

- What are you doing?

- Getting me ready to sleep?

- How are you going to sleep with all those wounds?

- I'm sorry, but I really can't move right now. Even if I wanted to, I can't take off my dress right now.

- Just because of that? Don't worry, that can be fixed in a jiffy.

- Huh? What do you mean by…? Wait! Don't do it. This dress is one of my favorites! Noooo

With the strength of my arms, I tear off what's left of the dress while making sure not to aggravate her wounds. When I've gotten rid of all the fabric that's in the way, I start applying the disinfectant on a cotton ball and applying it on her wounds.

- … Was it like that?

I slowly disinfect all the wounds on her body including her legs and knees that were dragged by Max. She responds minimally with moans every time I touch one of her wounds while her eyes remain dead. Big tears pour out of her eyes as she mumbles "I can't get married anymore" repeatedly.

"Even though I feel bad for her, at least she's still now and letting me heal her properly."

When I'm done disinfecting her, I carefully check to see if any wounds are too deep, but it seems there aren't any wounds that require that level of attention.

- There, you're properly treated now.

- …But at what cost?

Still with dead eyes, Carla mutters those words as if she's lost all her will to live. I quickly place Carla on the bed next to Nath and tuck her in so she doesn't get sick in the morning.

- Sadly for you, I don't have any clothes in your size, so you'll have to stick with this for now.

Finally finished, I lay down on the opposite side of where I laid Carla to leave Nath between the two of us. I gently hug Nath in my arms as I deeply wish that the little girl could smile from now on.