Lost

8

Chapter 8

The moon hung high in the sky, and a gentle breeze blew through the camp, carrying a few stray leaves as it went. I sat starring at the coals in the bottom of the pit, still wrapped in Lyalls warm embrace, her head lying atop mine. It felt nice to have a females comforting touch, or any comforting touch, after so long. Even before that disastrous event took place, and all was normal, Id never really had someone too comfort me. Sure, they never spoke ill towards me and they made sure I was fed and clothed, but they never comforted me. Now that I think about it, they never showed any emotion but nonchalance toward me. I quickly stopped that train wreck into the past and focused on the present.

Nash sat cross legged in front of me, looking down into his lap while picking at his finger nails. Adolpha -who had emerged from the cave several times to check on me and then recede back inside to sit with Melle- came barreling out of the cave with a scared and anxious look on her face.

Whats wrong? I said seriously while standing to my feet. All remnants of my earlier episode vanishing. Adolpha stood in front of me and I placed my hands on her shoulders. Whats wrong? I said again more calmly, trying to soothe her. She looked scared and kept glancing over her shoulder at the cave. Is it Melle? She nodded her head and again looked over her shoulder at the cave. I maneuvered around her and sped into the cave.

H-he was mumbling a-and then h-he just started t-t-twitching. I heard a quiver in her voice. I knew she and Melle were close like brother and sister, and obviously seeing him act like that upset her.

Upon interring the cave I saw Melle lying at the far back twitching and shaking, occasionally letting out a weak growl. I could feel the others enter the cave behind me.

Holy s-

Whats wr-

Whimper.

I ignored them and made my way towards Melle. I kneeled beside him a placed a hand on his sweaty forehead and another on chest. He had a fever. I couldnt help the little bit of worry that bubbled up inside me, but I pushed it down and concentrated.

Nadia? I felt her pacing around in my head. She was worried too.

Yes?

I need you to try and contact them. See whats wrong, okay? She didnt answer me and instead I felt an icy feeling over take my mind and body. I felt as if Nadia was creating or searching different connections, in my mind, trying to find the one that would connect her and me to Melle. After what felt like an eternity Nadia found the connection she was looking for and disappeared from my mind only to reappear a few long moments later. I felt Melle twitch more frantically under my fingers.

Hes scared Asena. Hes trying to fight it. That little bubble of worry grew ten times larger. If he kept fighting it not only would his wolf get frustrated and lash out, but he could die. Nadia whod also came to the same conclusion began to pace even faster.

I ignored Nashoba who was steadily trying to get my attention and spoke to Nadia again

Patch me through Nadia, I need to speak to him. I felt her hesitate and she started to protest. Just do it Nadia, he can die any second, I know what Im doing. I didnt know what I was doing and she knew that, but she also knew that if I didnt guide him he could die, and she didnt want to lose someone else. I moved so I sat crisscross and lay Melles head in my lap, placing my hands on either side of his face. My head started to spin and I felt a sharp pain in the back of my mind. The pain receded and in its place was a line that connected me to them.

Melle? I barely noticed that I was speaking both through the connection and out loud. At the sound of my voice the others cut off whatever they were saying and paid close attention to whatever I was saying. Melle?

Asena!? Is that you? Asena Im scared, what the hell is going on? Asena are you still there? Asena!?

Melle, you need to calm down, ok? Youre okay. Just listen to me Im going to help you.

Asena, theres a wolf. I-I think I can hear it in my head. sena what do I do? Whats going on?

Melle, youre shifting okay? That is your wolf and you need to listen to whatever he is saying okay?

Shifting? What do you mean shifting-?

Melle! Listen to me. I let a little bit of urgency seep into my voice. You need to listen to him. This is important. You need to stop resisting him. It could kill you both. Do you understand? stop resisting him. Ill answer all your questions when you wake up, okay? it was quiet for a while.

Okay.

And then the line went dead.

As soon as the line went dead I felt a rush of energy leave my body. Even though I only apparated my voice to him, and not my full being it was tiring. My breath felt short and a headache was steadily growing around my temples. I took a deep breath and turned to face the others. They were looking at me with shock and concern. Adolpha looked on the verge of hysterics.

What do you mean it could kill them both? she whispered. Lyall gathered her in a hug. Is he going to die? she spoke with a wet voice.

He wont die if he listens to his wolf. I said, trying to ease her worries. She cast her eyes over to Melles body, which had stopped seizing at the start of our conversation. I need someone to help me move his body over to the water. When I saw their confused expressions I tacked on, he has a fever and the water ll help cool him down. Hopefully if the fever breaks hell be able to concentrate more. Itll make the transition easier. They nodded their head and Nash stepped forward, since Lyall was still holding Adolpha, and wrapped his hands around Melles ankles.

Im sure I could have carried Melle on my own, but I dont want them just standing and staring.

When I had my hands securely under Melles shoulders, we hoisted him up and maneuvered our way down to the waters edge. Nash stripped himself of his shorts and shirt, as to not get them wet, and then we drifted out into the shallows, Melle floating between us. I heard a soft splash and looked to see that both Ad and Lyall had stripped themselves of their shirt and shorts, and were wading in the water towards Nash and I.

They spent the next few minutes staring at Melle and each other, while I stared solely at Melle, occasionally muttering to myself and checking Melles temperature (which had decreased significantly). I was past midnight and I was raising my hand to check his temperature again when he twitched and then shot bolt upright in the water. But since Melle did know he was in the water he began to flail his arms in panic. His head occasionally bobbing under the water.

Melle! Calm down its ok, its ok, youre in the lake calm down, Melle! I shouted at him over the sound of his own thrashing, but it didnt seem as if he heard me and continued to thrash as if he were drowning so I shouted at him again but this time I latched onto his shoulders and tried to steady him. He found his footing and looked from left to right with a wild look on his face. I cast my eyes to Nash and motioned to Melles arms, he got the hint and held them down by his sides, I placed my hands on either side of his face and looked him in the eyes. Calm. Down. I saw something-almost like recognition- flash across his face. I looked him in his eyes and saw the beast prowling there. He looked scared. Terrified actually.

Its okay. Youre both okay.