Saving Artemis (REWRITTEN)

• CHAPTER THREE •

Artemis

Gaining consciousness, I'm immediately aware of the flat, comfortable surface I'm laid across. The cushiony, plush feeling material something that I only vaguely remember from a life so long ago that it barely feels real.

It concerns me, scares me even.

Slowly fluttering my eyes open, I find myself in a dark room, cupboards attached to almost every wall, a large metal table beside me filled with what looks to be medical equipment.

Lifting my body into an upright sitting position, I notice the weird wire piercing into the skin on my left hand, a piece of clear tape holding it in place as well as gauze wrapped around my mangled wrist.

Following the wire with my eyes, it connects to some kind of machine that stands on a long leg at my left side.

The unfamiliar territory has goosebumps coating my skin, thoughts of worst case scenarios bouncing around my head, taunting me with the 'what ifs'.

Suddenly the door is being pushed open and my heart speeds up in response, my body preparing me for fight or flight before a pair of dark grey, almost blue eyes meet my own.

A rush of memories come back to me as I meet the gaze of my saviour.

The reality I told myself was nothing but a dream, a figment of my imagination is true. I'm free. I am free.

My eyes water with unshed tears, happiness engulfing me as I relish in the fact that I'm not there anymore.

The unknown male notices my reaction, and suddenly he is rushing to my side, his body crouching down as he looks at me with wide eyes.

"Shhh, it's okay, you're okay now." He whispers, seeming unsure of what to do in such a situation.

I choke out a sob, a large smile pulling at my lips before I pull the stranger into my arms, embracing him, thanking him for giving me my life back. My arms wrapping tightly around his neck, barely registering the fact that I am indeed snuggling up to a man three times the size of me. One who could probably kill me with his bare hands.

His body tenses in my grasp before he slowly relaxes, carefully returning my affections. Strong, bulging arms wrapping around me, although this should scare me, instead, all I feel is safety.

"Thank you." I chock out. "Thank you so much." I repeat, the words leaving my mouth over and over again.

After a few moments the male pulls away, large, muscular form towering over me as he looks down with a softness in his eyes that I haven't seen in a very long time. One that makes his otherwise intimidating features less scary to me.

"There is no need to thank me." He states, his eyes falling to the scar on my right cheek that starts at my ear, stretching across to the corner of my nose, a dark glare settling onto his rugged features. " I just wish I could have saved you sooner." He admits.

I stay silent, not sure what to say to that because I too wish he could have saved me sooner as well, unfortunately we rarely ever get what we want.

The next minute we both spend in silence, him, seeming to be beating himself up about a situation he had no control over nor knew about whilst I relish in the fact that the place I was forced to call home is now in my rear view.

"Thank you." I repeat once more, emotion clear in my words as I try to convey just how much I appreciate him.

A small, barely noticeable smile pulls at his plump lips, his intimidating, manly features seeming more cute than anything else. I can't help but smile back, a large toothy grin stretching across my face.

"What's your name?" I question after a moment, realising that we have yet to be formally aquatinted.

"Bear, what about you darlin'?"

Before I can help it a giggle escapes my lips.
"Bear?" I question, my eyebrow furrowing as I stare at him in disbelief.

He chuckles, nodding his head in all seriousness.

"Okay, Bear. My name is Artemis." I introduce, holding my hand out to him, a notion my mother taught me as a child. Something that although may sound weird, I'd like to do. Something as civilised as just shaking one's hand is a pleasantry that was robbed from me, along with my childhood and any innocence I had.

He looks down amusedly at my outstretched hand before placing his freakishly bigger one in it. I'm quite surprised that his scarred, callused hands are quite soft, despite how they look.

Pulling his hand up higher, I inspect the drastic difference in our hand sizes, his completely engulfing my own.

Just then, the door is banged open, another unknown male entering. This one, although smaller than Bear, still towers over my short frame by a long shot.

I tense up immediately, my hand holding on painfully tight to Bear's as my breathing picks up.

My eyes stay glued to the man, noticing his shaven short hair and scarred complexion, much like the man beside me. His large frame takes up almost the whole doorway, bulging muscles visible beneath his white vee neck tee and ripped black jeans.

"Artemis, hey." Bear calls out, hand grabbing onto my cheek and forcing my head in his direction. "It's okay, thats just Doc', he's the one who patched you up. You're fine." He explains, eyes holding my own captive in his stare as each word leaves his mouth coated in honesty.

My breathing slowly returns to normal as I hold his captivating gaze, taking comfort in him being so near.

After what I've been through at the mercy of men, I have never thought that another one would be able to bring me such comfort. But with Bear, that's what he does, he brings me comfort, makes me feel safe.

And that's more than anyone has ever given me before.

Nodding my head, I slowly turn back to 'Doc' as Bear stated, still nervous but not as afraid with Bear at my side.

Doc seems shocked at the encounter between Bear and I before a small, knowing smile graces his face. With slight wariness to his actions, he slowly enters the room and comes to a stop in front of the bed.

"It's nice to meet you Artemis, as you already heard I'm Doc."

"It's nice to meet you too, thank you for fixing me up." I reply, sending him a small, barely there smile, not wanting to be rude. Especially since he did 'patch me up', as Bear put it.

"You are welcome. There's just one last thing left. I noticed the swelling and odd angle that your leg is. It's most likely broken." He explains. "So I am going to set it and put a cast on it."

I nod my head, nibbling on my bottom lip In nervousness. I have no idea what he means by 'setting' my leg but I'm almost more than sure I won't like it.