Reflections of Mist

Better

The whole family was gathered around Rachel, even Owen and Abby, almost in disbelief at her dramatic breakthrough.

Rachel looked a little overwhelmed, clutching at Nick, whom she hadn't let go of since she'd come back to herself.
Her eyes kept scanning the people in front of her, smiling weakly in response to conversations fired at her that she obviously wasn't really listening to.

Her verbal and motor skills seemed to be in shock, taking a lot of effort out of her to formulate cohesive movements and sounds.
She seemed to have to form a physical decision to preform movements that naturally came to anyone else without so much as a thought, had to mentally coordinate every step of the action to get it right.

Consequently, she didn't really move or speak much at all, except for her eyes. She moved her eyes a lot, taking everything in, her eyelids strangely wide open, her gaze slightly unfocused.

But she was alive and that was all that mattered.

Selene took a seat next to her, taking her other hand gently. "Hey, Rach, you're doing okay. We're just all so happy to see you getting better, we didn't... We didn't know what we were going to do without you, if... Yeah. We all love you Rach, and we're all so grateful for everything you've ever done for us, all our stuff you've had to deal with... You've changed our lives so much. Rachel... I don't have the words to say how glad we are."

Rachel raised her hand shakily out of Selene's, clearly trying to touch her cheek in a loving gesture.
She managed to negotiate running the tips of two of her fingers along the line of her jaw, before dropping her hand back to the bed.

She looked along the line of her family again, face shifting from a soft smile to become increasingly distressed.

"N-N-N" she struggled to form the word.
Everyone watched her, concerned.

"N-N-N-Nyx!" She forced out, eyes wide with fear.

Travis filled in. "Rach, I'm sorry, but she's just not back yet. Julianna says she is being looked for, but... She's just not here."

Rachel visibly started to panic, making sounds and harsh movements of distress.

Nick attempted to calm her. "Shh, they're going to find her..." As Rachel thrashed in his arms.

It was Evelyn who came to the rescue.
Gently but firmly she pushed Rachel back onto the bed by her shoulders, making soothing sounds.
"Shh, calm down. I promise you, we will get Nyx back. Even if I have to go find her myself."

She turned to Travis. "Go get me Julianna. I need to talk to her."

As you've probably observed, the name of the book has officially been changed!