Among The Wolves

Numbness

This chapter contains descriptive scenes of violence. If you are sensitive to these things, you may want to skip this chapter.

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I could not move even though every fiber of my being screamed at the visible atrocity.

Every lethal color that could be seen was seen. Blueish skin, bright red blood, white matter, there was no recovering from this. Joinervetti hit the ground and each one of those colors was still clinging and dripping from Alpha M'est'r's canines. The fresh blood glistened in the hazy sunlight. His vibrant yellow eyes turned and looked at mine, at the same time Ty'Mee pulled me away. Gearing the both of us for our next dash toward the packhouses.

"Hurry!" She shouted.

My breath finally came back. Yet, the trauma was too much and my brain already determined that I did not see what I just saw. It was erased from my mind and made into a pristine whiteboard.

My eyes refocused to the treeline in the near distance and I followed Ty'Mee instantly.

Were there still Vakusians in there? Surely, we would be shot and killed. Was there any safe place? Would any place be safe again?

I was filled with looming dread.

And yet my adrenaline gave me what I needed to keep going. We entered the forest with no more scratches and staying away from the main road, Ty'Mee led me clearly forward. While I spotted familiar landmarks, I still solely relied on her for guidance. The forty-some minutes went quickly and we entered the opening in which the three packhouses were standing still. The contrast was vastly large. The battle and death ridden scene was stark from this seemingly tranquil and peaceful view.

It was enough to mildly mute my dread.

When we finally entered the medical hall and went into the main room Ty'Mee announced her arrival.

There were a few thetas and iotas that kept to their care but most rushed to her.

"What's the news?"

"Did you succeed?"

"Have we won?"

"What did Jon'Rvet look like?"

"Did we lose?"

I stood behind her, blinking at the perplexity of the questions. I felt as if I knew the answer to all of them but was confused when my memory only seemed to remind me of the bleak research facility walls. In a bad way, I felt numb.

"Who is she?" One iota, that I had not met before, asked in an accusatory way. "She looks like them."

"She is one of us." Ty'Mee's cutting voice silenced the room. "She's my helper."

Ty'Mee turned to me. "Do you need medical aid or can you help me with the wounded?"

My heart was still pounding but I nodded very quickly. "I can help."

"Good, take off that outfit and put a white coat on so people know who you are."

I nodded and began stripping on the spot as I was given a quick run-down. "Iota Mey'May and the Omega next to her are running the blood of any affected Etas, so if one comes in just tell them the name and they will bring the antidote to you. That basket in the corner is for soiled linens, there are a few Omegas washing and bringing in clean ones..." Ty'Mee went through all necessary information.

I took everything in and then set to work. Being put in charge of two cots. When the wounded were brought in I would be in charge of assessing the damage, treating the injuries, hydrating and nourishing the patient, afterwards a theta would triage them to one of four departments: