Power Without Strength {Discontinued/Rewritten}

5

            When I woke up, my head was pounding. My eyes were unfocused, and the voices in the room were muffled. I felt something cool on my head as I laid there with narrow eyes, willing them to clear my sight. A blotted figure slowly transformed into the familiar father-figure I've grown accustomed to. I squeezed my eyes shut tightly, flinching as the ceiling lights burned through my eyelids.

"Do you want the lights dimmed? Kulea, lower the lights a bit." Aren demanded. It was the most authority-laced tone I've ever heard him use against Kulea, but the lights were dimmed as was commanded.

"How are you feeling? Are you thirsty? Hungry?"

Raspy breathing was my reply as I failed an attempt to speak my answer. I was suddenly lifted slightly in the warm embrace of Aren's arms as I felt a cup reach my lips. Once I had enough to say legitimate words, a sharp pain pierced my skull as I witnessed painful memories; past and present.

I applied pressure to it with my hand, hoping to ease the pain as I felt all the color of the world drain out of my eyes. I slowly looked at Aren, straight in the eyes, and felt nothing at all. No joy, relief, sadness, or anger. Just pain.

His eyes flickered through mine, shocked and scared at how I was acting. Then on a whim, he pulled me into his arms and held me with so much force and security, as if he was guarding his most prized possession; his most precious treasure.

I was no prize. I was no treasure.

"Zeera, oh gods, Zeera, what in all happened?" He whispered in silent panic.

I opened my mouth, but closed it again; seeing no point in saying anything at all. What was the use? It's just gonna happen again. Maybe not by the same person, but it will happen again.

After a moment, he finally pulled back and regained his ground. I looked him in the eye and waited for his words.

"I don't know what happened, Zeera, but I can guarantee it won't happen again," No you can't, I thought bitterly. "All I need is his name, then I'll make sure he won't hurt you again."

I finally pulled my gaze down at the medical bed I was laying in.

"It doesn't matter-"

"Don't give me that bullshit Zeera, who is he?!" I jumped at his raised voice, but my eyes were too dry to produce anymore tears for the day.

"Calm it down Aren, she just woke up. She needs time to regroup before you start interrogating her." Aren looked at Kulea furiously as she came over and picked me up. How pathetic of me.

"I wasn't-"

"Go check the hallway cams, you can find out that way. But until then, leave Zeera to rest her mind a bit more. She doesn't need any more pressure right now."

Aren was silent for long, time-dragging moments, but finally sighed and got up; walking out the room with me and Kulea in tow.

Once we stepped out of the PHR, Desta and Yanju were waiting in the main room, and Desta jumped up once she saw me.

"Doctor K, is she gonna be alright?! What happened to her, was she hurt in any way?" Kulea cut her off before she had the chance to ask more questions.

"Zeera isn't feeling herself right now, go on ahead back to your classes and you can come and see her once you're done with your finals."