The Wolf

Ch. 20: Home Sweet Home

~Alex~

We arrive at the camp shortly after sunrise. The arm that the wolf had slashed is numb by now. It's healed, but I've lost a significant amount of blood. We made quick, steady process. It wasn't hard, Nico wasn't heavy. In fact, he's so light, I'm dying of worry.

We stumble into the clearing near the omega cabin. No one is out at this time. I don't bother stopping at the cabin, Dom will just make things worse. I see the silhouette of someone approaching us. It's a patrol.

He grows closer and I turn towards him. He sees who it is and stops abruptly. "Alex? What's- that's a lot of blood!"

I swallow over the lump in my throat, "Please, wake up the doctor. We need medical attention."

The patrol salutes and runs in the direction of the infirmary. Meanwhile, Nico and I make our slow progress.  When we're a couple of yards away, the infirmary door opens and a bewildered doctor comes out. His eyes land on the two of us and widen in shock.

"Oh, God. Get inside." He holds the door open for me and I step through it.

We walk through the halls to an empty room. I set Nico down on the white bed that slowly turns red. I sit down on the edge of the bed, exhausted. We made it. The doctor left to get back up. My eyes start to close and I slump against the wall. I know I should stay awake to tell him what happened, but that can wait until I've rested some.

~*~*~*~

I woke up warm and comfortable. Confused, I lurch out of my bed. Where am I? My eyes dart around the room. The walls are made of wood, there's a window letting in sunlight adorned with white curtains. The room has a faint smell of medicine and lilac.

A sigh escapes me when I comprehend where I am. My next thoughts are about Nico. A white curtain divides me from the other half of the room. I swing my legs over the side of the bed and pull the curtain aside.

Nico lays in this bed. He's wrapped in gauze and has an IV in his right arm. He's still sleeping peacefully. I hope some of the pain he was feeling is alleviated. I take the seat by his bedside. His right hand seems to have healed some. My eyes rake over his abused appearance. 

This kind of thing reminds me of the dream I saw. A dark room full of foreboding tools and pain. My heart skips a beat. No, no it can't be. My fingers dig into my hair. I ignored all the signs that he was in trouble. I'm a coward. I'll just leave it to my father? What kind of friend am I? I should've insisted on searching for him myself.

Guilt permeates through me like water through a cloth. Do I really deserve to stay by Nico's side? I'm sure he won't forgive me when I tell him I went off to do something else while he was in peril. My heart aches won't stop. Tears streak down my cheeks. What have I done? It's all my fault.

With shaky fingers, I grab Nico's left hand, intending to hold it. Something falls out of its grasp. It's the thing that he took from the girl. Curious, I pick up the object. My brow scrunches at the object. A ring? It's a laurel ring that's made of stainless steel. It looks familiar...

It hits me like a truck. My heart shatters and I can't breathe. The ring from so long ago, he has it. That girl must have taken it from him. I heave heavy sobs. God, what is he thinking, still carrying this around? If I could've, I would've tackled him in a hug. Something so insignificant, he's kept all this time. He's definitely the Nico I know.

I pocket the ring. I'll give it back to him when he wakes up.

~*~*~*~

After letting that out of my system, I realize I still have a job to do. Reluctantly, I leave Nico behind, giving him a long look before leaving the infirmary. Feeling rejuvenated and determined, I head to the Head House.