Lost in Reverie [FxF]

05

Wow...chapter 5 already?!? How's the story so far?? Still kinda slow burn lol but some intense scenes are coming👀

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Jules
  

      I winced as I pulled on my clothes, the pain radiating through my body with each movement. I forced myself to focus, gritting my teeth against the discomfort. I had to find Adelin. Nothing else mattered. My son was out there, and I had to protect him from those horrible creatures.

I searched the small hospital room, my hands trembling as I rifled through drawers and cabinets again. Finally, I found a bottle of painkillers. I quickly swallowed a dose, hoping it would kick in soon, and placed the rest in my fanny pack, tucking it securely under my abdomen and shirt. I needed the relief to come fast, but every second I waited felt like an eternity.

While waiting for the meds to take effect, my eyes landed on my medical chart. It showed bruised ribs and other minor injuries, but thankfully, nothing was broken. This small relief steadied my nerves. I could manage this. I had to.

Once the pain subsided a bit, I took a deep breath and opened the door cautiously. The facility was eerily quiet, with only a few people—nurses and volunteers, I assumed—moving about. I crept down the hall, trying not to draw attention to myself. My heart pounded with each step, a constant reminder of the urgency of my mission. I needed to find an exit.

Frustration was building in me as I encountered several dead ends. Each turn seemed to lead me nowhere. I tried not to look suspicious, but the longer I searched, the more my anxiety grew. I felt the walls closing in on me, every delay a barrier between me and my son.

As I continued, the sterile hospital environment began to change. The walls transitioned from clinical white to warm, homey tones. It felt more like a mansion than a medical facility. I noticed more people dressed in regular clothing, their presence comforting yet strange.

I finally stumbled upon a large cafeteria. I stopped in my tracks, taking in the scene. It was enormous, almost like a high school cafeteria, but with a cozy, inviting atmosphere. People were laughing and chatting, kids running around and playing after finishing their meals. The adults watched over them with protective, loving expressions. Some women looked pregnant, surrounded by men who stood guard around them, their gazes full of affection and vigilance.

The scene was almost surreal. Everyone acted like one big, happy family, despite not looking related. The warmth and camaraderie were palpable, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. I felt a pang of longing, a deep yearning for this kind of connection. But I couldn't afford to dwell on it. I had to find Adelin.

My thoughts were interrupted when someone bumped into me from behind, nearly sending me flying. I quickly turned to see a well-built man, short but muscular, with fluffy black hair that had a blue sheen in the right light. His bright blue eyes were striking, and his face was dusted with pink freckles. He had a slight Puerto Rican accent as he apologized.

"Sorry about that–" he paused to take a better look at me. "I haven't seen you around the pack house before. You must be new."

I tried to play it cool, despite the panic rising in my chest and the confusion around the word 'pack'. "Yeah, I’m new. Just needed some fresh air. Do you know how to get outside?"

His demeanor shifted, becoming serious and a bit cold. "No one’s allowed to leave the protection of the pack house since the Roques started showing up. It's our job to keep everyone safe and inside."

Confusion and desperation mingled in my mind. I didn’t understand why these people cared so much about protecting strangers. "I need to find my son," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "He’s out there, and I have to get to him."