Bloodied Butterfly

Part 6: Monster-sitting...

How was this possible? Why didn't Rhodes tell me? I then remembered he was never awake during the warmer months... He doesn't know either. He still thinks he's a monster.

I crouched beside him, taking the monster's limp fingers in my own trembling hand, his skin was no longer whiter than snow, instead a fleshy pale. I realized I had been holding my breath as I dropped his hand. There was a big blue butterfly resting on Rhode's knee, beating its wings slowly.

I gently shook his shoulder, his eye flickered open, looking at me sleepily,

"Ruff?" He breathed, his voice sounded different, like a male human, deep yet soft.

I pointed a finger to his eyes- eye- diverted it to the butterfly. His eye widened, "This? Is this..."

"Yes... But there's something you need to know." I warned.

But Rhodes lifted a curious hand towards the insect, but saw his bony fingers-

"It's alright-" I started, but he began to panic,

"What's happened to me?" He hissed, jolting fiercely, causing the blue butterfly to flee. I squeezed his hand and grasped his knee, "Rhodes, I need you to breathe-"

I could feel the pulse of his hand quickening under my grasp, his breathing uneven and scared.

"Try to stand." I then ordered. He obeyed, struggling to lift himself. His legs wobbled, he had no idea on how to stand on human feet.
Rhodes took a step, his legs buckled and he fell into my arms. We slammed into the carpeted moss floor, Rhodes immediately crawled off of me.
"Try again." I told him, pulling him up by his arms. He stumbled but caught himself quickly.

He walked on the balls of his feet, gradually improving. His casual limp was more obvious now, due to his human form.

"Why... Am I like this?" He muttered, glaring at his hands, wiggling each finger curiously.

"I don't know, could it be part of your curse?" I asked, Rhodes whipped his head to me, I continued, "You're a monster made for winter, maybe it's part of the punishment to not be conscious of your humane self..."

Rhodes thought for a moment, "Maybe."

I swished the vines away from the entrance, beckoning him out. Rhodes hissed at the sunlight, squinting. He soon realised how colourful his new environment was; he looked overwhelmed, but not scared. I grasped his hand, he jolted at my gentle grip.

Rhode's eye darted about the forest, analysing the many gemstone flowers and the vibrant leaves as I pulled him away from his cave. We reached my cart, he sat on the seat beside me, holding onto the sides for dear life.

I noticed his rags were too big now he was human, he was extremely thin, disturbingly malnourished and frail, trembling as he tried to stay on the cart as Bluebottle pulled it.

"I'm going to get you some food, real food." I told him, "Though your stomach may not be able to handle it until you're used to it, so eat carefully..."

Rhodes nodded, glancing around at the mossy trees.

We reached my cabin, Rhodes hopped off the cart, swaying as he tried to regain his balance. Tracker's head rose from where he lay at the doorway, bounding excitedly for us. He sniffed at Rhodes before leaping at him, knocking him over. Rhodes was panicking at the slobbery kisses given by the dog. I burst into laughter as Rhodes scrambled to his feet, stumbling clumsily as Tracker stared at him playfully.

"Stay out here, I'll make us both something to eat." I said, leaving Rhodes to wander about the plants, deciding to curiously follow another butterfly. Tracker followed me inside, headbutting my legs childishly. I was surprised he'd warmed up to Rhodes so easily, though his temporary human form made him appear less threatening so I could agree with the dog's behaviour.
I looked into the cupboard, it was slightly disorganized; I found bread, a can of soup and butter for lunch.
Whilst cooking, I glanced out the window, the Wendigo- human Rhodes- was crouching, the butterfly on his finger. The insects seemed to be attracted to him, normally skittish creatures yet they fawn over what should be the most terrifying monster humanity is doomed to face.