Raw

Chapter Twenty - Wounded

Chills rippled through my body as the dreams faded. Dreams of Mhor, my mother, and my father. Dreams of my childhood and simpler times.

A warm cloth pressed on my forehead as I became aware of the sounds around me. "Mother?"

"She's just outside," said a soft, young, female voice. "We were worried about you for a while there."

I forced my eyes open and gazed up at the female Father had taken from Voch. Her pale blonde hair fell around her face as she smiled kindly. "You were asleep for a few days. You lost a lot of blood."

I tried to speak, tried to say, "That explains my headache," but it just came out as a moan.

"Don't push yourself," she said as she turned away from me. "But you should get something to eat."

I shuffled up into a sitting position, moaning at my throbbing head. A few days? "Where are we?"

"Hidden," she replied as she turned back around with a dish of dried meat and a cup of water. "Here."

I took them, sipping the water, then chewing on the meat. Ravenous, I devoured all of it.

She chuckled. "I'll get you some more."

"Wait." I grasped her wrist. She met my eyes as I asked, "What's going on?"

She slumped, her brows furrowing. "The males have pushed Voch's clan off the land, but they linger at the northern border. The males patrol the border, rotating who is on, and who comes here to rest."

"Is anyone..." I swallowed, dreading the answer to my thought.

She smiled softly, touching my cheek. "A couple of the sons of Voch have died, but you are the only one who has come close."

"My brothers?"

"All fine. A bit beaten, but—"

"Mhor?"

Her eyes sparkled. "Comes here when he's not on patrol. He's very concerned about you."

I smiled wistfully, picturing Mhor at my side, worried. He might even be blaming himself. "Where is he now?"

"He just went back on patrol."

"Oh." My heart sank.

"I've been ordered to send word if you wake. I'm sure he'll come right away." She rushed out of the tent.

I shuffled over, grabbing the ladle in the bucket and taking a deep drink. The water sent waves of relief down my parched throat. Mother slipped into the tent while I drank. She touched my shoulder as she knelt beside me. "You're awake! I'm so relieved."

"I'm so hungry and thirsty." I took another deep sip.

"Of course. You lost a lot of blood." She kissed my forehead. "I was afraid I'd lose you."

I smiled weakly, scanning the tent for food.

"Yes, you're hungry." She dropped a small bag in front of me. "Just some dried meat until I can get you something better."

I devoured it in seconds.

She smiled, stroking my hair. "Zora, don't ever scare me like that again."

"I don't plan on getting injured like that again," I replied as I chewed on a piece of dried zebra.

She wrapped her arm around me, nuzzling my neck. "Everyone has been worried for you. Your father slept at your side, sometimes I even caught him crying over you."