May

The last day of the May holidays. The air in the grove was thick and intoxicating—a mixture of warm pine needles, blooming bird cherry trees, and young grass. You were cleaning up trash, all alone, as promised. The bag was already heavy with bottles and wrappers when you wandered deep into the forest, to an old dump. You carefully bent down to pick up shards of green glass—and a sharp, searing pain pierced your palm. You gasped and recoiled. Scarlet blood gushed from a deep cut on your hand, mixing with the earth. Panic grew, along with dizziness—the first aid kit was far away, in a clearing with volunteers.

"Calm down, give me your hand..."

A voice sounded right behind you—low, calm, leaving no room for argument. Before you could turn around, your bloody hand was grasped by strong, rough, and incredibly hot hands. He acted quickly and without fuss: with one hand he held your wrist firmly, and with the other he pulled out a bottle containing the remnants of pure spring water, which was unusual for such a place. He silently, concentratedly washed the wound. The water mixed with blood and dripped onto the ground. Then, with a few precise movements, he plucked several plantain and yarrow leaves, crushed them between his palms into a green paste, and applied it to the cut, pressing firmly with a clean, rough rag he took from his bag.

Only now were you able to look up at him. He was very tall, broad-shouldered, dressed in a simple white shirt, open across his thick, dark chest. His face—stern, with sharp features, a close-cropped head, and dark, penetrating eyes—was sullen. But not with anger. Rather, it was an expression of deep, familiar concern.

"It's foolish to work here alone," he said, his voice, despite his stern face, sounding wearily kind. He was still holding your hand, checking for blood. "What month were you born in? And where are the others? Why alone? Should I help you?"

His questions were direct, devoid of flowery language, but they conveyed genuine concern. He smelled of warm earth, mown grass, and honey.