The Bad Girl in Boots

Hospital

For the second time in as many days, I wake up with Hunter's face in my neck. This time, however, my body is pressed tightly against his, and I'm only wearing shorts and a tiny vest. Fun. It was then that I realised that my stomach ache was gone. Sighing happily, I took note of yesterday and try to discreetly slip away from Hunter. I really needed the toilet. He mumbled slightly but didn't protest as I slipped out of his grasp. The minute his hands slide away from me, however, a deep pain tears through my lower belly, making me cry out and causing my legs to buckle. As I curl in a foetal position on the floor, I see Hunter's blurred shape sit up in bed, looking confused for a moment before understanding and a little bit of horror fills his eyes, and I'm scooped up into his very naked chest. I barely register the slight dimming of the pain because suddenly his skin is searing hot. I whimper and struggle in his arms, desperate to get away from the flames.

Fire. Flames. Smoke. Ash. Darknesss. Screams. I. Can't. Breathe. But I have to run. I promised her. Fire. Flames. Smoke. Ash. Darkness. Screams. I. Can't. Breathe. Fire flames smoke ash darkness screams. I. Can't. Breathe. Fireflamessmokeashdarknessscreams-- Gunshot. Thud. One last breath. Death. I scream.

My breathing speeds and my body shakes, Hunter's chest becoming slick with the tears that stream down my face. Then he starts running, the slight breeze from his movement a welcome respite from the searing heat. He bounds down the steps, ignoring the gasps and stares from early-risers he passes. He bursts out of the dorm building, racing across the common towards the hospital wing. My weight and the fact that he is only wearing a pair of tight boxers doesn't slow him down. The sudden light hurts my eyes and an animalistic whimper escapes me. "I know sweetheart, I know." Hunter mumbles, but how can he? "I'm so sorry." His voice is choked with guilt, and by its own accord, my hand reaches up and presses to his abs, trying to comfort him in any way I can. Hunter just grips me tighter and shoves his way through the hospital doors, yelling "Daniel! It's the Lu- it's Ellie!" The doctor comes tearing around the corner, ordering Hunter to set me on the bed in the quietest corner, the one furthest away from the door. Hunter gently places me on the bed, before whirling on Dr. Daniel. "Do something!"

"You knew this was going to happen, just like you know there's nothing I can do for her. All you can do is give her cold baths and stay as close to her as possible." Hunter gives the ceiling a tortured look. The doctor continues. "It will pass in a few days. But of course, if you haven't...." he throws me a glance and lowers his voice. "You know, within 28 days, she'll be back like this, except it will be worse. I can keep her here and write you a note excusing you from classes but I'm afraid that's the extent of what I can do." Hunter's eyes are dark purple, almost black and he roars in frustration, swinging round and putting his fist through the wall next to my bed. I flinch, and whimper as I cower into the bed. I'm not scared of him, I'm not, but the wolf has taken over, pain and weakness arresting my body and making me unable to stop her. When he hears me cry, Hunter whips his head round, eyes wide. I flinch again at his sudden movement. All at once, the tension leaves his body and he walks slowly towards me, crooning softly at me. "I'm sorry, malen'kiy volk, I'm sorry. I'd never hurt you, I promise sweetheart. Did I scare you? I'm so sorry, my baby." He reaches my side, and reaches to cup my face, his other hand sweeping my hair away from my face. His murmurs soothe my worries, or rather, my wolf's but she still refuses to hand me control, believing she can defend us better from the pain if she is on the surface. I know that somehow Hunter knows that it isn't me in control. A great heat is starting in my chest again, and I hear an awful snapping of my bones as I accidentally shift. The pain of the shift is excruciating, and I start it off screaming, finishing with a whimper as I become a wolf. Hunter's eyes are sympathetic, and he gently scoops my wolf form up, settling down on the bed with me cradled to his chest. He starts to run his fingers through my snow-white fur, my body relaxing under his soothing hands. He continues to whisper in my ear, and I manage to painlessly shift back. The air is cool against my skin and I realise I'm completely naked. All I can manage is a pleading look up into Hunter's purple eyes, and his eyes flash in understanding, his arms reaching and quickly pulling the covers up over us. I sigh, my head coming to rest on his chest, unable to do anything else other than throw my arm across his hard-and very bare- abs. Hunter's arm curls around my back, securing my against his side. Black fades into my vision, the darkness promising refuge and rest from the exhaustion. The dark claims me just as I realise I still don't know what is wrong with me.