Lycan Pass

Lycan Pass - Chapter 27

Hey, guys! I am so very sorry! There was some very dramatic last minute occurances that prevented me from completing the story in time for the Watty Awards. For that I apologize. However, now I can finish the story sheerly out of pleasure~!

- BittySpyder

______________

       I wiped my mouth with a rag that I had forgotten to return when I was done cleaning. Dizzy and stumbling, I left the room and shuffled down the path, going back to rest in my hospital room. I seemed to trip over every pebble and often used the wall to brace myself. Heaving a sigh of relief as the mirror before me, I reached my hand out to open it, but stopped when I heard noises on the other side. I held my breath as I hesitantly pushed it open a crack. It squeaked loudly. I cringed, the sudden silence in the room letting me know I wasn’t the only one who heard the squealing hinges. My heart thudded loudly as the sound of approaching footsteps grew louder. A powerful hand pulled the mirror open the rest of the way. Trevor stood in front of me, eyes wide with shock.

       “Ana? What are you doing back there? What is all this?” he asked. Confusion contorted his face, mixing with a small glow of relief. He helped me out from behind the mirror and made me sit down on the bed. “What were you doing back there?”

       “This is going to sound strange, but there’s a secret tunnel behind the mirrors. The few that I’ve been in lead to a hidden room. I was practicing my Seeing,” I explained to him. He looked at me with furrowed brow, but then just sighed. He glanced down at my feet and saw my bleeding toes.

       “You really should be more careful. You can’t just go waltzing into an unknown tunnel and expect everything to be okay anymore. With Icarus around, you’re never going to know what to expect.” I paled at the memory of what I had seen in the mirror. Trevor wrapped his arm around me and let me lean on him.

       Trevor sat with me for a long time. We didn't talk, didn't say anything at all. We just sat there in the warm sunlight, our fingers entangled. Trevor leaned down slowly and pressed his lips to my cheek. My face warmed to his touch. I found myself smiling up at him as he smiled back.

       "This is all going to work out, Ana. I promise. I'll keep you safe." He brushed a strand of hair from my face, tucking it behind my ear. I squeezed his hand gently.

       "I know you will, Trevor." He smiled at me before standing up.

       "Well, you're going to need your rest if you're going to train tomorrow." He went to walk away, but stopped and turned to face me. "Oh, and this time... stay in bed." I grinned mischievously and he laughed. As he left, I slipped down into the blankets, spirits too high to sleep. I didn't bother closing my eyes until well into the night.

       My dreams, however, were not as bright. Thoughts of Icarus kept seeping into my dreams, turning them to nightmares. I fought him tooth and nail. Icarus was... just too strong. I gave my all, yet everything I held dear, everything sacred to me, was pulled from my grasp. All my struggles were for naught. I was berated with an overwhelming feeling of helplessness, suffocating in its enormity.

       When I could bear no more, I jerked myself awake, only to see that I had slept a lot less than I had thought. It was early in the morning, only just after dawn. The light that glimmered through my window was a pale blue, weak and soft. I stretched my sore limbs and yawned, feeling depleted and groggy. I rolled my head over to the side and spotted a note on my nightstand.

      "Ana,

       There are clothes in the chair.

      Get dressed and come to the training

      grounds as soon as you awake.

       -Trevor"

       "No time for breakfast?" I grumbled. Then I saw the post script.

       "PS: Be sure to eat breakfast first!" I smiled. He knew me well.

       I pulled my clothes on haphazardly and jogged down to the cafeteria. I hardly tasted my food, thoughts of seeing Trevor again filled my mind. I remembered our moments from yesterday. A sweet thrill shivered through me. Today, I would train side by side with him. As I went along with my wishful thinking, a sour thought punctured into my mind. The only reason that I would even be out there training in the first place is because of him. Because of Icarus. I grimaced and shook my head, willing the dark thoughts away.

       I quickly dropped off my tray and broke into a brisk run, rushing towards my awaiting friends. As I reached the middle of the training grounds,  I was greeted by nothing but the sounds of my heavy breathing. There was no one there but myself. Had I read the note wrong? There was a rustling in the bushes behind me. I turned to face it.

       "Who's there?"

       There was a low snarling, a pair of flashing green eyes. Something dark sped from its hiding place in the bushes, then took to the air. It landed heavily on my chest, throwing me to the ground and knocking the wind from me. The muzzle of a black wolf was right in my face, its fangs bared to me. My heart leaped into my throat. Sheer terror had a tight grip on my throat, making it hard to breath. I pulled my legs up and kicked the wolf square in the stomach. It yelped and fell back.

       I quickly shifted. The wolf didn't give me time to gain my bearings, instead taking advantage of my awkward transition. He jumped at me again, but this time I dropped and rolled away. As he skidded in the dirt, I whirled and charged towards him, plowing into his side and putting my teeth to his throat.

       "Who are you?" I growled.

       "Ana! No!" Trevor rushed from the bushes, fear on his face. The form beneath me changed, and I soon realized that my attacker was not an attacker at all. John's glasses were skewed, his eyes wide. I jumped back quickly, shifting to my human self. I pulled John to his feet, dusting him off.

       "John! I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" John laughed heartily. He patted me on the back.

       "Oh, I'm more than fine! I'm glad to see that you have your basics down, at least!"

       "I... I what?" Trevor walked up to us, looking ruffled.

       "We needed to test your fight or flight reflexes without you holding back," he said. My mind was still reeling. I tried to unwind, tried to fall out of my combat mode, but my body refused to stop bristling, stop jumping at every move.

       "I think we've gone and made her paranoid," John said. I gave him a weak smile before looking to Trevor. He seemed grim, and his gaze was far away.

       "I think... that might do her some good."

_________________

I'm sorry for the weak finish ;-; It's 11:30, and I'm tired. I might fix it later. Well, enjoy my darlings! I'll try to be a bit more frequent.

TRIVIA: What is John's last name? Your hint is "9" First person to figure it out gets the next chapter dedicated to them!