Nature of the beast (book 1 of the Beasties)

Trudy

The worst part of being left in a room alone is the time it allows you to think about your fate. Mine is about to stare me down, than put me back into the hell I just escaped from. Everything appears to be jittering, but I know that it's only me. To say I'm afraid is a gross understatement. The best coarse of action against this Trudy would be to keep my mouth shut. She can't call him if she doesn't know who I am.

The door suddenly opens and a pudgy middle aged woman glides in. She is quiet graceful for someone her size. Her red, mid-length hair is pristine like the ladies in the 1950's adds. She wore a dress with a full apron and practical flats. It wouldn't surprise me if she baked cookies every day. I zero in on her face, to take account of what her first move will be. Her perfect burgundy lips are posed in a warm smile, eyes twinkling with infectious mischief, and hands holding a tray of delicious looking food. My mouth waters.

"You gave Liam quiet a scare." The woman chuckles. "He was afraid that you had split your melon clean in-half this time." She sets the food down on the bed. "Don't let his grumpy manners fool you. He is really a softie. My name is Trudy. I'm the midwife around here." She leans over me, than extends her hand towards my forehead. My natural reaction is to swat her away. The woman leans back with her hands on her hips. "I need to check your temperature, than look over your body for any more injuries." Feeling like a scolded child, I lean back against the headboard.

Her hands are gentle as she pokes and prods. Her movements are so slow that I didn't even flinch once. She straitens up with a tender smile. "Good news is there aren't any new injuries and your temperature is back to where it's supposed to be. Better news is that I brought you lunch to help flush the sedatives from your system. You've been knocked out cold for almost four days. My daughter penny will be here in a couple of hours to check on you. Shes a doctor." Trudy proudly states.

She picks up the bowl of soup, than attempts to feed me. I turn my head. I don't trust these people. They haven't asked me questions like most 'good samaritans' would. Why would they care if I lived or died? Maybe they are keeping me to brain wash into being their slave. The food might be drugged. I keep one eye on her to see what she does. She frowns for a minute, than smiles once more. She brings the spoon to her lips and takes a bite, showing that it's not poisoned. I continue my pose. Trudy sets the bowl back on the tray. "I'll leave this here for you. When you are hungry feel free to enjoy it." She gives me one last warm smile before she shut the door behind her. When her foot steps had faded into the distance, I attack the food faster than a starved lion on a hippo. Belly full, I lay back down and drift off to dreamland.

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Liam's pov

"How is she?" I ask Trudy.

She smiles sadly. "Physically she is doing fine, but her soul has a long ways to go yet." My insides twist. I knew she was trouble the moment I saw her crumpled form at the bottom of that abandoned well. If I was smart, I would of left her there to meet her fate, and allow my soul string to attach to someone else. I could of rejected her and found somebody suitable. An image of her peaceful, sleeping face sneaks into my mind. Torn inside, I admit I couldn't leave her, it would be like rejecting myself. Seeing her in that well was a strong reminder of a part of my past, best forgotten. Am I ready to start facing it? Trudy's hand rests on my shoulder and looks into my eyes. "She is strong. Maybe even stronger than you." Trudy grins at the last part.

I rub my face from the memory of the girls back-hand. "Don't I know it." Trudy laughs at my remark. Her hand goes over top of mine. A soft, tender smile graces her chubby face.

"You have gotten so handsome my boy." Her eyes platonically roam my features. She is one of the few people who can stand to look me in the face. My scares tend to make others uncomfortable. Trudy would be the only one to call me handsome. She is like a mother to me. I crack a small smile.

"Trudy you aught to be horse whipped for all your little white lies." I joke. She just cackles, then grows serious.

"If you decide to accept her, you do know that she will be a lot of work, and you will have to have the patients of a priest." She states. Sobering up, I nod. I have no idea how Trudy knew about our soul connection, but then again, it seems she knows everything. Regardless of being told or not.

"I'm not sure if I'm going to keep her." Trudy seems amused with my statement.

"In two weeks she should be healthy enough to be back on her feet. If you can fight the draw till then, than the connection will naturally fade, but it will always be there faintly like a little niggle in the back of your mind." Her words set me a bit on edge. This whole situation is a double edged sword.