Blood Burden

« Chapter Twenty »

She woke with a fright. 

She had not slept for a long time and for a very good reason because whenever she closed her eyes, she relived her nightmares. Her mind was consumed with the demons that came to play in a twisted reality and she had to allow it. Usually, she couldn't wake up. She was trapped in sleep and that's what terrified her the most. Let alone being forced under by the medication in her system. 

Heaving for air, she clawed at her chest. As if her own body was against her, she felt her throat closing up and her chest tightened like someone was squeezing the life from her soul. She gasped multiple times, black dots swimming across her vision, and she feared going back to the dark again. She needed to stay awake, blinking and shaking her head, she fought in so many ways. 

Right before she woke up, she had seen his face again. Fabian's lifeless eyes haunted her. She had watched in horror as his mouth opened, a river of red blood spewing from within, and it was so much that she was drowning in it. Just like he had drowned in his own blood, she was victim to the same fate in her nightmares. It was cruel and unforgiving. She couldn't shake the terror that threaded its sharp claws around her spine, ready to rip the life right out of her body in a gory mess. 

Suddenly, she felt someone touch her shoulder and she flinched away so hard her teeth cracked together. Another sob left her lips, begging. Out of instinct, her eyes flew around to observe any danger, like a wounded animal, and she recognized the face next to her bed. 

Deikota's lips were moving but she heard nothing over the thundering of her heart and panicked breathing. She couldn't calm down, like a tsunami surging to make landfall, she was helpless against the riptide as it swept her further and further away. Her eyes fell to her lap when she realized she was making eye contact too long and she gritted her teeth to keep the sobs hushed. 

Slowly, she heard humming. 

A soft, tender tune that swayed like a gentle breeze across a calm meadow. She focused on that noise as it broke through all the chaos, choosing it as an anchor to drag her onshore from the raging storm. Her breathing began to even and the thrum of her heart quieted to a steady beat, leaving her with exhaustion that set deep into her bones. She couldn't keep doing this. She was so tired and she didn't want to fight anymore. 

When she finally calmed from the panic, Deikota stopped humming, and then after a moment of silence, she asked, "Feel better?" 

Meekly, she managed a nod. 

"It always helps the little ones calm down for bed. I apologize for touching you without permission, I used to have the same reaction when I had panic attacks." 

She frowned at the blanket that covered her legs in a disturbed mess. She didn't know what to say, she felt so awkward, and embarrassed that a stranger had witnessed her in such a vulnerable state. She had learned to protect herself from such situations but she was utterly defenseless in this moment. 

She licked her lips and croaked, "Where am I?" 

"You're in my house, silly. I've been learning the ways of medicine and you are my fifth patient so I wanted to keep a close eye on you," Deikota chuckled, "Some people say a Luna shouldn't be a healer but I've always wanted to know. I get myself in enough trouble, you know?" 

Slowly, the woman's words registered, and she shuddered, "This is the Alpha's House?" 

"Yes?" Deikota answered questionably, brows furrowing. 

"I can't be here," She whispered in fear, "I have to get out of here. I need to leave. Let go of me. Please let me out!" Her voice rose to hysteria as memories rushed through her mind like fresh cuts oozing blood and terror grasped her heart.