The creature of parts stitched and sewn together trekked up the mountain face, the rain pelting him from all sides, though it did little to his person but drench him. The cold and heat barely affected him anymore, not after so long.

His creator had perished less than a year ago, leaving Adam, as he liked to call himself, a wandering creature, living day to day, simply existing. But existing was no longer something he wanted...he wanted to live.

Adam craved a companion, but he hated those all to similar to him, those humans and their prejudice, their screams of terror when he came into the light. Adam's hulking deformed being sent all scattering to the wind.

He had spent a year watching cottagers in the Swiss countryside, but was driven out the moment he attempted connection. Adam's heart broke with every interaction, knowing no matter what he did, he would be met with the same cruel fate.

That was until he crested the mountain side, finding a small cottage, aglow with warm fire light inside, something he hadn't expected to see this far from civilization. In the fenced pin behind the cottage was a hen coup, and a small garden, and a almost empty stack of wood. Just like Felix's stack at the first cottage he had observed years ago.

Adam, used to remaining hidden, inched to the window, peering in, draw by a soft melodic sound of music. There you sat in a small chair before the fireplace, a flute in your hands. Adam was entranced, he didn't know how long it had been, but the rain had stopped by the time you had.

It was only then did Adam notice the way you stood and moved, just like Delacy at the last cottage, your hands before you, palms out, a light glaze over your eyes...you were blind.

This was wonderful news to Adam, you would not observe his disfigurements. Adam decided he would take his time, learn you before introducing himself.

Adam waited a month before approaching you, standing on your porch. His hands trembled but he spoke, "M'Lady, might you spare a traveler the warmth of the hearth?"