The Unification

Chapter Ten

*** Thanks again for everyone who commented!! I hope you enjoy this chap.! ****

I woke up the next day with a headache. My body was aching and I felt exhausted. I scrambled out of bed, rising to my feet. I tried to stretch but my stomach pained. I walked past my full-length mirror and stopped. Was that me? I stepped back and stared at the girl watching me.

The girl had dirty brown hair; a hint of red in it which I guess was blood. My skin was eerie pale, eyes hollow. Tears were dried on my cheeks. My shirt hung on my shoulders, making me look anorexic. My shirt was stained with blood. I had boxer shorts on. I didn’t look like myself. I looked like someone had beaten me up with a bat, dropped me from an airplane and rubbed shit all over me. I looked like crap. How was I going to go see Reid looking like this?

I peeled off my clothes and went into the bathroom. The tile floor was cold. I slipped into the shower and let the hot water turn my skin red. After the shower, I wrapped fresh gauze around my stomach and slipped on skinny jeans and a tank top. I threw over a thick gray cardigan. I put my hair back in a ponytail and let my bangs hang out.

I went downstairs and headed for the door. Someone grabbed me from behind and hauled me back. The person released me and turned around. It was guy. He towered over me about a good two feet. He had messy blond hair that reminded me of Bar. His jaw was tight as he spoke, “You may not leave.”

“How are you going to boss me around when I don’t even know you? Get out of my house!”

He ignored me command.

I threw fists at him but he gripped my shoulders and shoved me back. I stumbled back and growled, “Who the hell are you?”

“Tessa, what’s the matter?” Dad came to the guy’s side. Dark bags were under his eyes.

“Who the hell is this?” I asked, angry.

Dad glanced at the guy, “You couldn’t have explained.”

“I’m entitled to protect her not explain anything.” The guy replied.

Dad turned to me, “Micah sent him. After the Seekers attacked you, the Elders got worried and decided you needed some form of protection. So, they sent Caden.”

Caden nodded.

“Is he going to follow me around everywhere?” I asked and they nodded, “Even the bathroom?”

Caden nodded and Dad gave him a stern look, “Don’t even think about it, young man. No, not the bathroom, Tessa.”

“Well, I need to see Reid.”

“After you go talk with your pack,” Mom came out of no where, handing me my cell phone, “They’ve been worried sick about you. I told them you’d meet them at the Chill Spot.”