Wolves of the new dawn

A small wolf

*Raze*

I drift in and out of sleep, the hard wooden chair beneath me gradually feeling like it is becoming a part of my body. The smell of antiseptic and the faint beeping of the portable monitor Freesia had brought form a lullaby that holds me captive, but the worry gnaws at my insides like a relentless beast. I can’t shake the image of Jo’s pale face, the way her tiny body shivered as the fever took hold again last night.

“Come on, kiddo,” I whisper to her sleeping form, my voice hoarse from too many sleepless nights. “You’ve got to fight this.” The shadows of uncertainty loom over me, each tick of the clock stretching into an eternity. Freesia told me that her body is waging war against the infection, and that is the reason for what seems like a set back, but that doesn’t stop the fear from creeping in, wrapping around my heart.

I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know, I’m jolted awake by a gentle squeeze around my fingers. My heart races, adrenaline flooding through me as I blink against the bright morning lights. I look down, and there she is… my little warrior, her big eyes bright and shimmering like pools of sunlight breaking through a stormy sky.

“Dad,” she says, her voice soft but steady, as if she’s just come back from a great adventure. The world shifts in that moment, and everything else falls away. The worry, the fear, the exhaustion… they all dissolve into the background, replaced by the overwhelming warmth that spreads through my chest.

“Jo!” I choke out, my voice cracking, and I can’t hold back the tears that spill down my cheeks. I lean forward, my heart racing with joy and disbelief. “You’re awake!”

She nods slowly, the corners of her lips turning up into a sleepy smile that lights up her face. “I was dreaming… about wolves,” she says, her voice still hoarse but filled with wonder. “They were running in the moonlight, and they looked so free. I hope I get my wolf soon.”

I can’t help but chuckle through my tears, a sound so foreign to me in this moment of joy. “Well, I guess that makes you one of us, huh?” I tease, wiping my cheeks with the back of my hand. “You’re the bravest wolf I know.”

“Did you stay with me all night?” she asks, her brow furrowing slightly as if she’s trying to piece together the fragments of her memory.

“Of course I did,” I reply, my heart swelling. “I wouldn’t leave your side for anything. You scared the hell out of me, Jo. I thought…” My voice trails off, the weight of those thoughts still heavy, but I push them aside, focusing on her. “But look at you now! You’re back with us.”

Her small hand squeezes mine again, and I feel a rush of relief wash over me. The warmth of her fingers, the steady grip… it's as if she’s pulling me back from the edge of my fears. “I’m better now, right?”

“Much better,” I assure her, my voice thick with emotion. “You just needed a little help to fight a bit harder. You’re stronger than you know.”

She nods, her eyes sparkling with determination. “I’m going to be a great wolf, Dad. Just like you.”

My heart swells at her words, the pride and love pooling within me. “You already are, Jo. You’ve got the heart of a lion and the spirit of a wolf. No one can take that from you.”

Just then, the door creaks open, and Freesia steps into the room, her presence a breath of fresh air. The moment our eyes meet, I can see the relief wash over her face as she takes in the sight of Jo awake and alert. “How are we feeling today, little one?” she asks, her voice gentle and soothing.

“I’m a wolf!” Jo declares, her excitement infectious. “And I’m better!”

Freesia’s smile lights up the room, and I can’t help but feel a surge of gratitude for her presence in our lives. “That’s wonderful to hear! I knew you could do it, Jo. You’re a fighter.”

“Jo, this is Freesia, She is a doctor and she helped you get better,” I explain, thinking my little girl has not really realised there Was a new person before now.

Freesia comes over, and starts talking to Jo, introducing herself and doing some checks.

“Dad, can we go outside?” Jo asks, her eyes wide with anticipation. “I want to see the pack.”

I chuckle, ruffling her hair. “Absolutely, kiddo. But first, let’s make sure you have something to eat and drink. You need your strength.”

“But I want to run!” she protests, but the laughter in her voice is a sweet melody.

“Soon enough, my little wolf,” I promise, my heart racing with joy. “Soon enough.”

As Freesia and I help Jo sit up, the fear and uncertainty that once clouded my mind begin to lift. There’s hope in this room, something I had thought lost to me forever… hope and love.