Claws Against Petals✓

57•|Sensitive Species

Grayson's POV:

This chain of torment lingers...and I'm lost in it. His laughter...I can still hear it, his little voice. I can't bear it, Orchid...let me see you. I've longed to see your face...for five years... your flesh has been the only thing I've tasted. This heart of mine beats for you. My hands haven't stopped trembling since the day you stopped breathing. I can't stop myself from this pain, I won't believe you're okay until I hear your voice again.

These past several days, I can no longer remember how much time has passed. Looking at my arms... I could tell that I'd lost alot of weight. I'm unable to sleep, nor can I eat without feeling sick to my stomach. I don't understand, why won't they let me see you?!

Banging my fist against the hard floor of my room, I stayed seated where I was and rested my head back against the bed. The muzzle my father placed on me kept my fangs from biting anyone as I still felt aggression. The feeling of my hair was cut short by my father, I was able to see alot better now since my hair no longer covered my face. Even the beard I had grown out was shaven off. And yet, I feel no different...I still feel empty.

Soon, the faint footsteps of what I was hearing gradually grew louder until they came to a complete stop. This scent, it's them again. They're right by my door, what do they want now? This metal chain around my neck...how long will they keep me locked in here? I'm starting to lose my composure, every day that passes...is another day taken away from me seeing Orchid. I know that she needs some time to recover...but I can't move on from my despair if I'm not with her.

As the door began to open, I didn't bother to see who it was as I kept looking at the floor. My sense of smell could tell that it was my mother and father. Giving off a sigh, I finally directed my gaze towards them until one of them approached me and started to unlock the choker around my neck. Confused, I felt the weight of the chain off of me as I felt a massive headache soon afterward...

"Grayson, I know it's been hard these past few years. And I've tried my best to take care of you the best way I could. But I understand that you can't get well when you're still hurting. I've told you several times that Orchid is doing fine-"

"Let me see her-"

"Not until you accept what has happened. These years that you both lost in being with your child, it's not going to be easy. Alot will change, and you must prepare yourself for that. Orchid didn't want us to tell you this, but as a mother...it's only right for you to hear the truth. On the day that Orchid gave birth, there was alot of nerve damage and blood loss she went through. And the result led to her no longer being able to walk again. I've checked the muscles on both her legs and- wait, Grayson!"

I could no longer stand aside and hear what my mother and father had to say! I've gone through enough hell and back, and I will not allow myself to suffer anymore! I don't care what anyone says, I need Orchid...and I know that Orchid needs me! Even as I struggled to stand up, I did my best to rush out of the room as I broke the muzzle away from my face! However, my father was quick in catching up to me as he helped me not stumble along my footing. But even so, I kept pushing myself forward as I followed Orchid's scent. Part of me doesn't want to believe it's true, that Orchid lost the ability to walk. It can't be-

"Can I have more bologna, it's yummy! Oh, let's go to my aunt's house again today-"

"Sage? What's wrong..."

Hearing his voice coming from downstairs, I knew his sights were on me as I passed by the railing. Even as I forced my body to stand, I didn't bother looking at him as I heard Judy speaking to him in a calming tone. Right now, my emotions are a complete mess. My son...I can't even look at him without becoming enraged! I'm filled with anger, confusion, sadness, grief...but mostly, utter loneliness.