Guardian Angel (Guardians Of The Galaxy Fanfiction)

Beginnings Of Pain

Pain was the first thing that Ashen felt. When she opened up her eyes she felt like someone had taken apart her body and messily put it back together. When she tried to lift her head it fell right back down with a hard thud. She managed to fixative her eyes on the sides of the cage that enclosed her. She realized that she was the only one in the cage and she prayed that Somber was alright.

She saw two metallic dishes and from the smell of them she knew one contained water, or at least contaminated water, and disgusting slop that might count as food. It certainly didn't smell like any mouse or thrush she had ever eaten! She knew that she would hold out for as long as possible but eventually she would have break down and eat and drink. Until she was in desperate need she would just go dehydrated.

She suddenly felt a wave of adrenaline coarse through her veins. She managed to haul herself to her paws although her muscles ached in protest. She shuffled herself toward the back of the cage to help her stand up. She arched her back and sighed heavily in pain as she felt a new wave of agony surge through her.

"What happened to me," rasped Ashen but her voice was coarse and she could barely understand herself.

She continued pushing herself to the back of the cage. When her shoulders brushed the cold walls she jumped back. It was excruciating and she didn't understand why.

Her eyes widened as she realized the water. She took a step forward and fell, gasping in pain. She clenched her teeth to stop from wailing and managed to roll on her underbelly so the pain would ebb. Once she summoned the courage she pushed herself to her paws again and took a wobbly step. She nearly fell again but she caught herself and romped forward. Her eyes strained as she focused on the water dish.

When she got close enough she sat down heavily, sprawling out her hindquarters a bit. She sighed in relief and closed her eyes a bit. She never thought that walking a few steps could be so strenuous. When she opened her eyes again she shook her head to clear it, remembering the reason that she had forced herself over there. She wanted to look into the water's reflection and see why her back, shoulders, and haunches were in so much pain.

She sucked in a deep breath before she pivoted herself so that her back faced the water. She looked over her shoulder and gasped. There seemed to be dozens of needle marks in her back, shoulders, and haunches. Some were swollen and others were black and blue. They all seemed to be connected but Ashen was sure that the Terrans weren't finished with her yet. The needles seemed to be just the beginning.