Warrior Luna - Fighting for Survival

New Reality

Andromeda POV

I heard the beeping of machines, shuffling of feet, distant coughing. I smelled mostly the pungent odor of new plastic, bleach and other powdery smells I usually associated with pharmacies. There was another more pleasant smell, rain? I couldn’t place where it came from. A speaker called for Doctor Becker. I was in a hospital I realized, but I had no idea how I got there.

 I opened my eyes and was instantly blinded by fluorescent lights. I tried to sit up, turn my head but I couldn’t, probably a neck brace.

“Oh Andromeda honey! I’m so glad you’re awake.” My mother’s voice reached my ears, though it felt like I was underwater.

I struggled to sit up, I moved a few inches, but then pain erupted in my ribs and back.

“Don’t struggle sweetie, I will raise the bed for you if you like.” She reached for the remote and the headrest of the bed elevated.

She looked down at me, caressing my cheek.

‘Don’t try to talk out loud; your neck was in pretty bad shape.’ I heard her voice in my thoughts.

‘How did I get here?’ I focused on each word, hoping she understood.

‘A farmer called an ambulance for you. He apparently heard gunshots in his field and went to see what was going on and well…” her eyes filled with tears “found you bleeding out in the field. ’

‘Cole…’ I started but my eyes filled with tears.

‘I know.’ She sobbed as she stroked my hair. ‘the farmer found Cole’s wolf body and thought there was an illegal dog fight, two other cars were there too but they fled.’

‘Evan.’ I thought the single word to her, hoping she would connect the dots.

She didn’t say anything but I smelled her sadness and her tears as she continued to stroke my hair. I started drifting off to sleep again, this time I felt more peaceful knowing she was watching over me.

I woke up again sometime later, this time I felt much better. I could turn my head and the neck brace was gone, testing waters I slowly sat up. I felt sore and tight but the excruciating pain was gone. I hoped this meant I was healed up enough to go home.

I noticed mom was slumped in a chair next to my bed sleeping. I wondered how long she sat here with me, I was sure I slept for two days, but it could have been longer.

I sat on my bed placing my feet on the floor. My right foot was wrapped up in a bandage; I took of the binding and examined it. There were distinct teeth marks there. I remembered him biting me in my hind leg, it felt strange that the wound in my human form would be that much lower.

“Andromeda?” my mother asked groggily “Why are you out of bed honey?”

“I want to go home.” I said sliding off the bed and standing up. She rushed to me expecting me to fall. I was a little dizzy but my body cooperated and I didn’t crumple into a heap on the floor. It must have convinced her that I was well enough to leave because she nodded.

We drove home in Cole’s car, mom said she transferred ownership to me now that he was gone and she didn’t need another vehicle. I didn’t know how to feel about that. I didn’t know what to feel about most things really. I felt relieved I didn’t have to deal with Cole again, but guilt consumed me because he was my brother and I killed him. I literally ripped out his throat.

The following week passed in a daze. My constant lethargy made mom worried, but the nightmares and bolting awake at night screaming is what really terrified her. We talked about Cole’s death and the dreams, but I didn’t feel like she truly understood the guilt and hatred I carried in my heart.

Vicky came to visit me a few times at home, but her ray of sunshine attitude overwhelmed me. I think she knew on some level that I wasn’t the same person anymore. I tried to act happy with her but it just felt like an act and I was back to my self-loathing the moment she left.

I lost track of the days, they all blended together but on one of them mom knocked on my door and she sounded excited. She gave me the plain white envelope.

“What is this?” I asked her looking over the letter.

“It’s your acceptance letter I think.” She smiled. “Open it.”

I rubbed my forehead. “Acceptance for what?”

“Before your graduation we were looking at different programs,” she wrung her hands together nervously “ I know you never ended up applying so I applied for you and Banff National Park was looking for conservation officers…”

“So you just assumed you should decide for me!?”

“You said you felt a pull to the west… and I hoped leaving this town for an open forest would… help.”

“Mom…” I felt conflicted. Logically I knew she wanted the best for me, and she was trying to help me. But it hurt that she did it behind my back, as though I was a child and wasn’t capable of doing it myself.

“I know I should have waited for you to do it together…”

“Yeah that would have been nice.” I snapped interrupting her.

“… but hear me out.” She put her hands up in defence “It’s a great opportunity, please at least give it a try. I can’t watch you wilt away like this anymore.”

After many discussions, some arguments and a whole lot of encouragement I decided to go. Cole’s BMW stood in the driveway, looking like a pack mule. Suitcases in the trunk, basket of toiletries, blankets, shoes and a mountain of other stuff packed up to the roof in the back seat, I didn’t know how I would fit in there too.

Mom handed me a steaming travel coffee mug, we hugged and cried as we said our goodbyes.  It felt like I was losing her too.

“Drive safe and stop if you’re tired.” She mumbled slightly as tears streamed down her face.

“I will, I love you mom.” I sobbed hugging her one last time.

She stood waving in the driveway until I couldn’t see her anymore.

I drove for thirteen hours the first day, which was a total suicide mission. I was exhausted and really needed to pee, but I sobered up quick when I saw a momma bear with two cubs come out of the forest about a 100 feet from where I was stopped on the gravel shoulder. Needless to say I almost peed myself anyway.

I passed two moose trotting through the ditch and admired them until one crossed in front of me and I realized that it was almost 7ft tall.

I finally stopped over at one of the little rest stops overlooking Lake Huron and watched the sun set, it was beautiful.

Maybe it was the excitement of going out into the world on my own or the adrenaline left over from my wildlife encounters, whatever the reason I realized mom was right. My spirit felt a little bit more alive. I hoped this feeling wasn’t just a passing distraction, I hoped it would stay.

The following days I took it a bit easier and only drove for 7-8 hours, I also made sure to go get some proper food, because the stale pizza was killing my taste buds.

 I explored a few parks I found on the way, Lake Superior Provincial Park was my favorite; the prairies that followed seemed to stretch on forever. I missed the valleys and lakes that I grew up with and the occasional cliff I climbed in my spare time with Charlie.

‘Shit.’ I kicked myself mentally, I was so self-absorbed with everything I didn’t even say goodbye to Charlie. Human or not I wished I was a better friend to him, he was probably worried.

 I’m still totally fired.

After three days of driving I finally saw mountains on the horizon and my heart skipped a beat. It felt like I was meant to be here, as though I would finally belong.

I made it to Banff around 2pm. I found the office building listed in the letter and walked in. A petite brunette sat behind the desk typing away on her MacBook.

“Hi there, it’s my first day of work tomorrow, is there some paperwork I need to sign?”

She looked up and furrowed her brow at me. “Name?”

“Andromeda Wetherfield but I go by Andy.”

The girl shrugged and handed me a fat manila envelope “Here. See you tomorrow at 8am.”

Next I typed in the address I was supposed to be staying at and drove over to a small secluded cabin at the end of one of the main road. There was a tiny gravel patch, which I presumed was the parking spot in front of a small steep-roofed house. The porch was fairly new and varnished a nice reddish-chestnut brown and had two lounge chairs next to a table with a flower pot. There was an envelope addressed to me under the ceramic pot of white and purple pansies. 

After reading the welcome note from the owner I fished out the key from the envelope and entered the house.

 It was small but cozy, a large living room window looked out to the woods, a wood stove stood in the corner a love seat facing it. The kitchen was tiny with only a small counter, and above the kitchen was a loft where I spied a queen size bed. Everything was spotless, the brilliant white curtains and sheets glistened and the warm wood tones glowed in the sunlight.

Laboriously I unpacked the BMW and organized my new living space, then I went through the paperwork for work. 

I didn’t remember falling asleep but the next time I opened my eyes it was sunrise. I got up and got dressed, and went to start my new job and my new life.