Alexander Ranch

Chapter 16

I don't know how long I slept. Was I asleep? I assumed I must have slept because I dreamed. In my dreams crazy monsters that looked like men were chasing me around trying to kill me. And, no matter where I ran, they kept finding me. Gradually, I became aware of a hushed conversation. At first, I couldn't make out the words. It seemed more a murmur. Slowly, however, the sounds became words, and I was able to understand them.

"Stop pacing, Jordan. She's fine," came a soothing, whispered voice.

"She's not fine. If she were fine she wouldn't be in that bed unconscious!" another voice hissed back. I belatedly realized it was Jordan's. But, it barely sounded like him. It sounded strained and hoarse.

"She's only sleeping now," came the first voice.

"You're sure her life force wasn't weakened?" This was a new voice and the tone was anxious.

"I don't know how, but yes. Somehow, he wasn't able to weaken it. Her only wounds are physical bumps and bruises. Well, maybe some mental ones too after this ordeal. Jordan, Please," came the first voice again.

Jordan? Suddenly everything came back to me with consciousness and my eyes flew open. I remembered the way Jordan had gone flying through the air like no human could and had tackled Kevin. What were these people? I looked around the room to see Grace, Logan, Daisy and Jordan staring anxiously back at me. With an energy that came from nowhere, I sprang to my feet. They all sprang to their feet in response, and the mob surged forward to attack me.

"No!" I screamed and flung a pillow at them I didn't even know I had. Logan caught it and they all froze. "Stay away!"

They all started talking at once, but I couldn't make out what they were saying. My head swiveled back and forth trying to figure out what was happening.

"Shut up!" someone bellowed. I jerked my head in the direction of the shout. It was Jordan and he had moved to the side of the bed without my even seeing him. He was glaring at everyone now and speaking through gritted teeth. "You're scaring her!"

Everyone stopped talking, and he turned back to look at me. The concern in his face was in direct contrast with the confusion and terror I felt. And, just as suddenly as it came, I felt the energy draining from me. My legs began to shake. I was going to fall and couldn't do anything about it. I felt the sting of hot tears begin to stream down my face, and I could feel blackness trying to overtake me.

"Please," I begged weakly. "Please don't hurt me. Don't kill me."

"No one is going to hurt you," Jordan said in a soft voice. The pain on his face was a puzzle to me. I was the one in pain and about to fall.

"She's going to fall Jordan," I heard Daisy whisper.

"I've got her," came Jordan's quiet response.

"Please don't kill me," I tried to say again, but my voice sounded far away and there was a ringing in my ears. And then my legs gave out and I was falling. I was vaguely aware of someone catching me and placing me back in the bed.

The next time I returned to consciousness, I heard nothing but the sounds of a working ranch outside the window of the bedroom I was in. When I opened my eyes however, the room was empty of the previous mob except for Daisy and Jordan. I started.

"Wait, please listen," The words tumbled from Daisy as soon as my eyes landed on her. "Lela, no one is going to hurt you. Please, don't be afraid."

My heart was racing and my eyes were probably huge, but I stopped my flight reaction. Maybe it was the utter angst in her face or the concern in her voice. I glanced at Jordan and couldn't read the strong emotion on his face. Was it anger? Fear? Embarrassment? Daisy spoke again, refocusing my attention.