Intruder Alert

Chapter 13

It had only been a moment more before a soft blue glow revealed itself behind one of the panels. Allura already having in mind as to what it was placed her hand upon it. Immediately the panel shifted back and too the side revealing a small room with a few cots around the perimeter. Containers that held food and water were stacked against one wall. On the Adjacent wall were weapons that were hanging on the wall. Several of them resembled the paladin's bayards when activated. Hanging in the center of the room was a smaller version of the giant crystal that provided the castle with power.

They all entered the room, the wall closing behind them. Besides just giving off light, the crystal also seemed to be a type of heat source. They could already feel the warmth retuning to their bodies.

Shaking her head from the shock of finally being in the room that they had looked so long for, Allura led Lance over to one of the three cots. He sat down on the bed not saying anything. He Just stared blankly at the ground his face emotionless. Hunk had found a bowl, he filled it with water from a bottle that he had retrieved from one of the crates. Grabbing a cloth from the same bin, he settled himself down next to Lance on the cot and started to clean the dried blood from his skin.

Hunk hadn't even touched him before he jerked away, scooting himself farther back onto the bed. He kept his already wide eyes trained on Hunk. Lance was clearly not going to let anyone near him, so Hunk set down the cloth and gently raised himself from the bed. It was a few moments before Allura decided to step forward and kneel next to the cot in front of him.

"Lance," She spoke gently her hand reaching slowly toward the bowl, "We're here to help. No one is going to hurt you." She held the cloth in her hand, dipping it in the water before placing it on her own skin. Moving it across her skin she allowed him to watch a moment before she returned it back to the bowl. "That's how were going to get the dried blood off of you, but you have to allow us too." She continued speaking in a calm level voice. Once they got Lance cleaned up maybe they would be able to find something to give him to allow him to sleep, but she wasn't even sure if they was even in the medical kit in here.

Hesitantly he nodded his head and moved to the edge of the bed. His hands were tightly clamped together his shoulders clear up by his ears. As Allura raised the cloth to his skin he clenched his eyes shut. Allura guided the cloth in small placid circles, guiding it back to the bowl as necessary. The more the cloth was brought to his skin the more the others could see him become less tense.

Before long a fresh shirt had been found and put on Lance, as well as a small container with a few sleeping pills. Giving a few to Lance he quickly became tired and fell asleep on the cot his hands clenched tightly to the sheets.

-30 Minutes Later-

After finding something to eat and drink they began planning their next move. Their main priority was finding Pidge, once they had her and knew that she was safe they could continue with removing the aliens from the Castle of Lions.

Keith was in the middle of explaining that they could search the tunnels in pairs while a few people remained here when a scream erupted from Lance. Everyone's attention turned to the thrashing Cuban boy on the cot.

The sheets had become tangled around his legs as they continued to move. His face was reflecting the same panic they all felt. His hair was matted to his face and the nape of his neck. He let escape another whimper as what ever he was seeing in his dream continue to scare him.

Being the one with natural quick reflexes Keith was the first one to react. Jumping to his feet he hurried over to the cot trying to wake Lance up. It worked because seconds later he stopped moving his eyes opening. Seeing Keith right next to him concern forming every feature on his face, Lance quickly threw himself into his chest wrapping his arms around him, he whimpered quietly as he seemed to be remembering the images from his dream. Keith shocked from the sudden trust that came from the blue paladin slowly started to rub circles on his back.

Getting an idea he moved himself, with Lance still holding on tight, to where his back was resting against the head of the bed that was pressed against the wall. He angled his body so that Lance was still able to hold onto him. Lance's head was resting right on his chest his arms wrapped around his lower back. His legs where right next to Keith's, comfortable right where they were at. The whimpering quieted and soon he could hear his steady breathing indicating that he was asleep once more. Keith held his arms firmly around Lance as he rested his head on top of his.

There was only so much you could do in a situation like this, and Keith was more than willing to do whatever it took to help Lance get back to his normal self. If only it was easy as it sounded.