The third Planet

05. Beaten and the Transition

Claire's POV

"Claire, how are you?"
I didn't speak.
They, staring at me.

"You know who we are?"
I didn't speak.
They, staring at me.

"Can you speak?"
I didn't speak.
They, staring at me.

"Can you hear us?"
I didn't speak.
They, staring at me.

Slowly I nodded. Man, this headache was killing me. Since days there is this ticking and tapping and hitting in my skull. It's exhausting and annoying.

All breathed out in relief.

Oh and suddenly all care about me, huh?

"So you understand us?"
I nodded again. Another sign of greater relief than before.

I tried to sit up but I felt hands holding my head down. I saw Ana looking down at me, smiling. I looked away.

"Let's get a break" Ana said. I was thankful for that, but still not smiling.

I was too tired for anything else than sleeping and maybe eating.
My body felt shattered and lacking of energy. My brain was like kicked against my skull and lacking of anything else than a feeling like a needle pulling into my heart.

Disappointment, as my brain told me.

I was disappointed at Ana because she left me. She knew that I needed breaks and more sleep. That I can't run like the others and so many other things but apparently she didn't care. And now I'm too tired for anything.

"Sleep" I mumbled. I closed my eyes, ignoring the cold creeping through my body.
"Yes, of course. We'll make a fire now." Ana answered.

I just let go and fell asleep.

I don't remember how long I slept. Or if I dreamed even tough I don't think so. At least I wouldn't get nightmares now like I got all the other nights before.

I just remember how they gave me food whenever I was barely awake and I was never more awake.
I don't remember any conversations.
The sleep took all emotions from me and covered me in deep soft twilight.

It could be hours or days Ana spoke to me: "Claire? Please, listen. Lennart got a horse for you. We tried to make something you can lay on. The horse will do the rest. Trust me."

I mumbled something and Lennart carried me towards furs and layed me down.

Unable to concentrate any longer I closed my eyes again. The absent of my brain annoyed me and I was tired of being tired. It had to stop...
It had to...
It had..

When I was awake again I felt able to sit up. Ana helped me and I tried to eat the fruits Daphne gave me on my own.

Slowly but constantly I gathered my powers back.

We reached the water after eight more days. When we arrived I was able to walk myself.

We stayed at the sea and we built up three houses or more cabins for us to stay dry while it was raining. Even though nobody of the others cared about the wet clothes, I did.

Daphne and Lennart slept together in one cabin. Ana had one for her own and I had too.

I didn't do much other than walking around.
One evening I laid on beach and looked up at the stars. Thinking and a little humming. The waves swashed against the sand in a slow rhythm. A melody danced from my lips telling about adventures and the dream of home.

The others were quite and like they always did, listening. They seemed to like it. I didn't care as long as they wouldn't disturb me.

Carefully I tried words. I tested them. I tasted them on my tongue and let them fall over my lips. Words of other languages.