Missing In Plain Sight
Ayla
Apparently, I can’t rest without feeling confined. It’s impossible to shut my mind off and I feel out in the open, exposed in this hed. I’m exhausted and 1 know my brain is fighting to stay awake out of fear, but I can’t do this anymore. I must do something to feel safer, to protect myself. I rip out my IV, and slowly lower myself out of the bed, to the floor. I am stiff and sore, but I manage to slip myself under my bed and drag the covers back down over the bed. Lying on my back, I wonder to myself how being afraid of the dark and hating my cage turned into needing to seek shelter under a bed shrouded in darkness, but here I am. Maybe, they will think I bolted, and I can sneak out when they go looking for me. However, I don’t know where I would go. I have no family left. I don’t even know where La Plata is. I could rummage around looking for clothes and money here to get me by, but there would be a high likelihood of getting caught. I could chance it; I have nothing to live for anyway. My eyes finally start to get heavy. I find myself drifting to sleep thinking about Thane’s dimpled smile.
Footsteps shuffling in have me awakening and freezing out of fear. “Ayla, Ayla?” I registered the voice to the healer, Eric. He shuffles around the room and then quickly leaves. I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding. Closing my eyes, I try to allow my heart rate down and slowly return to sleep. I’m not sure how long I was resting for when I get the feeling of someone staring at me. I startled awake and took in those dark green eyes. My heart rate spikes, but surprisingly I don’t cover away, I just hold his gaze and take a deep inhale of his pine and earth scent as he kneels beside the bed
“I found you little wolf. You gave me quite the scare. I thought you decided to leave me.” He states with a slight chackle, but with a worried expression on his face. Leave him? Why did that thought send a pang through my chest?
“Are you afraid? Did we scare you?” I think about the question. Was I scared? Yes. Am I stared at this moment? No. Unsure of what to do, I nod my head ‘yes‘ Thane frowns a little but reaches his hand out towards me and completely lowers himself to the floor so were laying side by side. I don’t take his hand, but the gesture is comforting
“I’m sorry if we did anything to frighten you more than you already are Ayla. You have been through a lot and woke up with strangers, in a new place, which is a lot to process. Me leaving earlier had nothing to do with you, my wolf Ronan was just angry on your behalf, and I didn’t want to scare you so, I went and took a breath.” Ronan. That is a strong name for an alpha well. I like it. Aramana I’m sure would have loved it. Maybe I can get her back like Eric said, but I would have to stick around here to find out.
“I would really like it if you could come out from under here so Eric can check on you and do some more blood work. He wants to make sure the wellsbane levels are decreasing and I think getting some food into you would be a great idea” At the words, my stomach chooses then to erupt in a growl which causes -him to chuckle. “Can you come out for me little wolf?” I quickly nod “yes” and start to slide out from under the bed
Just as I put my hands on the had to push myself off the floor, Thane sweeps under my legs and I quickly slide my arms around his neck, causing my fingers to brush through the hair at the base of his neck, elicitine a shiver mut of him. He gently placed me in the bed, and we locked eyes with each other, our noses almost touching. He looks down at my lips and then quickly clears his throat once I lick my own and he steps back covering me up as he does. He pull the table around and gives me my notepad and pencil.
“I will let Eric know that you are ready for a meal and have him talk to you about his treatment plan. In the meantime, I can call your pack and let them know you have been found and getting care. Can you tell me who your pack is so we can find your family?” | frown at him, hurt Bashing across my face before I see flashes of my sister nursing, my mother screaming while being attacked by shifters. Me desperately thrashing, trying to get away. My father nowhere in sight. He must register the pain on my face because he whispers “Im sorry” before I can shake my head ‘no.” I see hurt flashing across his face as well..
We share a moment of silence just holding each other’s gaze before were interrupted by a female shifter and the healer. I stiffened and started to scoot further back in the bed, anticipating punishment from Eric for hiding and making a scene, but to my surprise they both smile at me and start talking as if nothing happened
“Food will be here shortly and I would like to get another blood sample before she eats if that’s okay.” Thane turns his head from Eric to me, and I suddenly realize he’s waiting for my answer, not telling me what I have to do. Giving me a choice. I look between the three of them and nod my head in agreement.
“I’m going to head back to the pack house and get caught up on some work, but I can stay if you want me to. I want to do what makes you comfortable, but I also trust you here with Eric and his team. I swear on my life, he will take good care of you. They all will. We want you to be better, we need your help. and we want to help you. No strings attached. My team and I have been tracking and rescuing trafficked shifter. You arent alone anymore.“
Not alone anymore. Those words sound so amazing, but also so unreal. I haven allowed myself to feel hopeful in years. The thought of not being alone never registering, never on my radar as a possibility, but here in this room, he’s offering it to me. I pick up the pad of paper and write “it’s okay to work, I feel better” and I place it down on my lap, catching myself staring at the words in shock even feel this way. I look back at Thane and hes smiling at me.
“I’m proud of the steps you’re taking. You’re doing good little wall. His praise caused me to blush and quickly look away. He chockles to himself “Alright, I will be checking in with Eric on your progress. We will talk more when you’re up for it.” He nods at me and exits the room. The smell of pine and earth
ingering in the air. I inhale deeply trying to get as much as it as I can.
A few pokes later I finally get to eat and the hottest bowl of chicken soup is brought in on a tray with bread and
salivating. The smell in divine, and i
1/2
Missing in Plain Sight
can’t remember how long it’s been since I touched hot food, let alone anything that tasted good. They let me have two bowls before I quit. I admit, I. little nauseated like they warned me of when I was inhaling my soup, but it was worth it. The fact that I remained calm during the blood draw is a miracle The amount of interaction I’ve had to do has exhausted me, but the fact that all my interactions have been pleasant and nobody has hurt me in anyway has me feeling shocked. Almost like a state of denial that this safety could be real.
I get up and slowly shuffle myself to the bathroom. Turning on the light I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror, and I’m surprised to see what I look like now. I’ve aged. My hair a chill white, my eyes are tired and heavy. I noticed a scabbed over cut un my forehead and several yellow, fading bruises. I stare deep into my eyes, begging and pleading to catch a glimpse of my well. “Aremana if you’re there, I’m sorry, I’m sorry that you were forced away. I’m sorry ! couldn’t protect you.” I feel utterly gutted at that thought. I should bring crying, I want to, but nothing comes out. I just stand here, staring at my reflection, waiting for something. Anything. Nothing.
