Forever Alive

Chapter Five:

Preia stroked Safhara's warm back. Safhara lifted her tail and swished it back and forth slowly, never lifting her head. She was tired, and so was Preia. Preia fell on her back and rolled over on the bed until she toppled to the rug beneath. She rose to her feet and stretched. Yawning, she stumbled towards the bathroom. Preia switched on the faucet and let the cold water flow. Then she put her hands under the water and streamed it onto her face. It burned, and Preia shrieked. Safhara lept to her paws and trotted over to Preia. Safhara whimpered. Preia's hand trembled as she struggled to turn off the water faucet. She wiped her face off using her own shirt. She fell towards the mirror, in desperate need for dire help. Welts and burns formed onto her face and hands. She gasped in need for fresh air. She flew out the front door, knocking miscellaneous things to the un-polished floor. She clenched her teeth, contracted in her stomach and bent over forwards. Aggressively she stuffed her fingertips onto her closed eyelids, because the water had gotten into her eyes as well. Why had this burned her? She'd seen her father figure drink it once before that same day without hesitance, had it hurt him to drink it too? Thoughts raced through her mind as her eyes watered and tears POURED down her face. The tears only made it worse. The salt burned the open sores on her hands and face, causing her to screech in pure agony. She didn't know what to do, and things only got worse. Her body couldn't take the pain, and she soon passed out. Safhara rushed towards Preia. She wasn't awake and that's what made all the difference. The cub worked fast and efficiently. It all payed off in the end.

Preia woke up on her bed with her wolf at her feet, and a strange white haired boy kneeling at her side staring at her with an empty-eyed gaze. She got up on her forearms abruptly causing her head to spin. Before she could say a thing, the boy pushed her down with his palm. Safhara curled up next to the boy and he pet her. Two days past, and Preia still lay knocked out on her bed, she woke up occasionally, but he pushed her back. Safhara stayed in her spot, and so did the boy. On the third day, the boy decided that it'd be alright for her to get up now.

She got up again and he said, "You can get up now." his tone was re-assuring, but Preia wasn't buying it.

"What makes you think you can just control when I get up and stay down?" The boy hadn't replied. He looked to be about three years older than Preia, so about fifteen.

"I heard your crys and Safhara's barks, and she sent messages. She raced in circles around you. You had burns- but they're all cleared now." his voice was monotone, And his ice blue eyes burned her own deep brown.

"How'd you know her name, who sent messages and how did the burns clear so fast? How long has it been since you brought me back here?" she questioned furiously.

"I'm sorry if I intrigued you." he said, "I can speak to your wolf, and any other wolves, Safhara called to me."

She paused for a moment, ".. How'd you clear.. It up?" Now she was buying it.

Sensing the relaxation in her body language, his tone of voice wavered in emphasis, no longer carrying traces of monotony. "It's part of what I can do." he smiled and went out of the room, and the wolf followed.

Preia followed as well. "Where're you going?"

He replied back, "just out. It's been a while. D'you wanna come?"

She nodded, and smiled, and followed the two out the door, into that open world of possibilities.