Lost in Worlds

An Afternoon Nap

When Avery woke up, IV fluids and other various tubes stuck through and around her. Her heart raced in her chest, long puffs aiming at calming it. Heat encased the white gown on her body and the thought of someone changing her clothes, seeing the scars...

She stopped breathing, scrambling desperately for the red button she assumed patients used to call for aid. Her thumb hit it repeatedly, exasperated, fumbling around just as a sharp burst of pain struck her in the chest, sending her barrelling into the pillow. Losing oxygen...weak. Doors burst open, three nurses, and...someone else. Should would have sighed with relief had her lungs not been suffering.

"Avery...breathe." She recognised the comforting voice but all faces around her resembled fuzzy blobs. Fuzzy blobs that kept moving and talking, maybe screaming–she couldn't tell. Her mind couldn't distinguish al words, either. Just Avery or breathe.

Avery. Her name.

Breathe. In and out.

Another phrase registered in her brain. "Panic attack."

Yet all she remembered was attack. Violence. Queen. Torture. Her body trembled harder a quickly barked, "shit," echoed in the room and someone placed a hand to her chest. A kiss to her forehead. A soothing honey-like wave flooded through her, settling the trembles. Laughing gas appeared in her line of vision. Her eyes crossed as they stared at the tube covering her nose.

In and out. In and out.

Again. And again. Until...

A large breath entered her lungs preventing her from passing out. She lay safe in a bed, with Connor's hand pressed to her heart. She relaxed, her muscles sagging in defeat. The nurses were gone, most likely grabbing a glass of water–either for themselves or her–catering for another patient or documenting her strong reaction to an infirmary.

She'd passed this room on the tour of the pack, briefly stopping to admire the equipment and hardworking medical staff, through the small glass window on the door. She hadn't entered the premises. People wrapped in needles and tubes with all sorts of fluids flowing through them, didn't suit her well, even more imagining it has herself. Too bad she now didn't have to imagine it

Her mate shifted into a more comfortable position, sitting down on the bed, his side facing her. "How are you feeling?"

She couldn't tell but there were more prevalent things to wrong of. Sam, the Queen, the Pack's battle ethic. "Fine. How is Sam?"

"Still missing. The Pack is doing everything they can but with the Queen..."

"They're too busy," she finished, frustrated for being the only one who cared she supposed.

"No, not at all. Av...we think the Queen took him."

Her heart skipped a beat.

"Took him."

"We're ambushing the palace soon. Dates are being arranged. We leave in a week or so."

This time her heart stopped clean. She must train harder now. Ready her weak body and-

"You're not working. You're resting."

She opened her mouth in protest once realising she'd left her mental link open but he cut her off.

"It's for the best. You can come back if you feel better tomorrow but for now you must rest. Rid yourself of that hangover while you're at it."

Ah, the headache. She hadn't noticed until he'd mentioned it. Perhaps, an afternoons rest would be in her best interest. She would wake for dinner.

The angle of the sun dangling through the window indicated the evening closely approached. So she closed her eyes and succumbed to darkness, rapidly. Sam the only thing on her mind.

---------

The next day couldn't have come sooner. Her legs shivered after staying bed for a day but she was up and about, which is more than she had hoped for. She set out of the infirmary, Connor escorting her to the edge of the forest before he had to leave for a Pack meeting with his Beta and Gamma. He left two guards to trail her and scan the forest.

Her legs sent her on a mindless wonder, unsure of where they were sending her. All she knew remained the forest trees and birds perched atop them, chirping. The sky shined blue, the sun glowed amber as the lake she had visited so many times came into view. She thought back to the time she and Connor had picnicked there and gave a snort as she remembered being pushed in the lake and buzzing him off afterwards.

Stiff, shoe and sockless due to spending a day in the infirmary, her bare feet strolled up to the bank of the river. Her toe dangled atop the shallow water as he blinding headache settled a bit. Her eyes admired the bedazzling view in front of her. A voice called out, sending her flying backwards and landing on the soft grass.

Perhaps, she should have been afraid but all she could do was bunch up her fists and narrow her eyes. The one moment of peace she had, ruined by the Dark Creature's mischief. She once again held her toe above the water line, lowering it down, down, down.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you."

"News flash, you're not me. So, piss off," she snapped. It 'raised its eyebrows'.

"The wolves use this lake to boil water and cook the fish inside, daily."

She didn't flinch, merely said, "I've been here before. I appear to be fine." Somehow the creature already knew this.

"Your mate asked the Pack to avoid boiling the water that day and in turn, you guys."

"Stalker."

"There was never any doubt."

"Lay off. I've had a busy week."

"It's about to become much busier."

"Mhmm. Keep dreaming, Pip-squirt."

The Creature gave a terrific growl and a brilliant attempt at intimidating her, then 'crawled' its way over to her. She didn't bother turning around as she waited and felt his essence envelop hers. "This is not a game, this is real life."

"Believe me, I'm well aware-"

"Shut up and listen. It was a while ago you met me here and your journey is far from over. The Queen gathers allies as we speak-"

"Oh really? I don't care. I'm over it. I've finally found something worth living for, fighting for. So right now, I'm utterly done with your bullshit."

"Avery. It is impossible to escape your fate. You're running out of time, the Queen is coming for you."

She shouted. "YOU THINK I DON'T KNOW THAT? DO YOU THINK I'VE BEEN LOUNGING AROUND?" She took a steadying breath and continued. "I've been working my ass of ever since I entered this damned world. I've battled deaths, memories, bitch Queen's, a darn Palace and supernatural crap. Doesn't a girl, damn right, deserve a break!" It wasn't a question. "Who made me the bloody chosen one?"

"Chosen one is a tad cliché don't you think? I'd say you're rather the worlds'...best tool in defeating the Queen. There's something inside you no one else ...aspires to."

She crossed her arms over her chest. "That's definitely cliché."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"Indeed."

"I'm leaving. I trust you to make a carefully considered decision regarding your...issues. Just...careful who you consider a friend, Avery Rosella."

She nodded. Avery had come to term with making all the big decisions, a while ago. She had to go back now; see her friends, organise information, sleep...

An afternoon nap joined the list of things to do. 

A/N:

Hey,

This song because I love it and don't remember if I've uploaded it before.

In the middle of exams and celebrating coz the week's over and I have cadets and KFC 

Love you all,

Ali <3