The Human's Gargoyle

Why

I woke up to the annoying sound of beeping and the smell of... sterile. I groaned as I tried to wake up enough to open my eyes. I hurt but the pain was dulled.

"Hey moonbeam. Don't force it." My dad whispered beside me, grabbing my hand gently, rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb.

"Mmmm. What happened?" I asked. My throat felt so dry! I rubbed at my throat.

"Here. Drink some water." He held a straw to my lips and I took a few sips. Drinking hurt but the cool water felt good on my throat. It soothed the pain I was feeling.

"What do you remember?" His voice was soft but it sounded pained. There was a slight whine to his words. I thought hard trying to remember why I was in the hospital.

"I remember going to the mall with mom." I spoke slowly. "We were coming back and..." Everything came rushing back and I sat up quickly. I had a head rush and pressed my hands to my sore head effectively giving myself a new bump on the head with the cast on my left arm.

"Careful baby girl!"

"Mom! Where's mom?" I looked around but didn't see her in the room with me. I turned to dad. His eyes were red. He gave me a sad look. That sad expression that people always give you when they have to tell you something bad. I watched as a tear fell from my dad's eyes. My dad never cried! "No." I started sobbing. My mom was gone! Dad threw his arms around me and pressed my nose into his neck. I inhaled his scent deeply and felt his chest vibrate as he tried to soothe his pup. "No! She can't be!"

"She faught hard moonbeam. She killed that rogue but he injured her too badly and we got there too late. I'm sorry baby." His voice was thick with tears he was trying to fight back

"It's all my fault!"

"No. None of this is your fault!"

"I should have seen it! I should have stopped it!" He pulled away and held my face in his hands so I had to look at him in the eyes.

"Ariana New Moon. You are not a witch. You have a gift of knowing things but that doesn't mean you have to know everything. This was an attack. Two rogues going after a lone car on the road. Losing your mother is killing me." He choked on his words and tears fell from his eyes. "But I wouldn't survive if I lost you too. I thank the Moon Goddess for keeping you safe for me."

"Daddy, it was a gargoyle! A gargoyle saved me!" He looked at me confused.

"Gargoyles aren't real. They're extict! The gargoyle in the cemetary is just a statue honey!"

"I'm telling you daddy! It came to life and killed a rogue! Dropped it in front of him before I passed out!"

"There wasn't a rogue near you. There were two dead rogues on the road with your mom. You were curled up in the gargoyle statue's lap."

"No!"

"That's enough princess. I'm going to get the doctor." He didn't believe me! I know what happened! It came to life! The doctor came in and checked me over. It was Tuesday night but he said I was okay considering. Just a concussion, broken left wrist, and a lot of bruises. I could have been so much worse from just the cash! I would have been worse if the rogue had caught me.

"I want to keep her overnight for observation Alpha. But as long as her concussion doesn't get worse tonight, she may be discharged tomorrow for our Luna's funeral. She'll need to take it easy though."

"Thank you doc." Then dad turned to me. "I'll go get you some things from your room." He kissed my forehead. "I'll be right back." And he left.

"Doc?" Doctor Brown turned to me. "Could I have hallucinated a gargoyle coming to life?"

"I wouldn't be shocked if you did. They're extict! You hit your head really hard during that attack. Not to mention your broken arm! You were in a lot of pain. Pain can make you see things. Things that aren't there."

"But I felt him. He felt so real! And I know a wolf was chasing me through the cemetary!" He pat my arm.

"Hallucinations can look, feel, and smell real sometimes. Get some rest Ari. You need to rest to heal." He pat my hand this time, over the IV, before exiting the room.

Christine came in a little while later, her eyes red from crying. She flung her arms around me after putting a bag and my blanket and pillow on the chair.

"Ari! I'm so glad you're okay! I'm so sorry!" She sat on my bed, running her fingers over the bandage on my head and then over my cast.

"Where's dad? He said he was coming back with some stuff."

"He got called to his office. He asked me to get you whatever you would need to be comfortable. Are you okay?" I just shook my head and looked at my hands.

"No. Mom's gone and it's my fault. Dad said it's not but it is! We were out because of me! Because we were getting my dress! We were off pack lands because of me!" I covered my eyes trying to force the tears to stay in my face.

"Ari." Christine whispered before wrapping me in her arms again. "This wasn't your fault! I am so sorry! You can't blame yourself for this!" I pulled away just slightly but left my head against her shoulder. I could see her large bump. She had maybe a month left before her pup would be here. This pup would never know their grandma. I ran my finger lighty across the top of her belly. Christine put her hand over mine. "I know what you're doing. Don't do that. It'll be okay." I lifted my head to look her in the eye.

"It won't be okay. This will never be okay." She wiped a tear off my cheek.

"It will one day. I promise. Now. Let's get your bed set up for tonight." I nodded and she helped me switch out the hospital pillows for mine and cover the bed in my blanket.

"Chris? Are Alex and Aiden mad at me?" She turned to look at me.

"Why on earth would they be mad at you? They're worried sick for you! Alex found you at the statue and carried you home. The boys have been here waiting for you to wake up. They'd be here right now but they were needed in the office with dad. The Alpha from Black River Pack is here to help with tomorrow. Don't worry about anything for now. Take a shower and get some sleep. Do you need anything? Food or drink?"

"No. I don't think I'd be able to eat anything right now. I have water so I think I'll be okay." Christine nodded before kissing my forehead.

After she left, I checked the bag. She packed me pajamas and some things to shower and my toiletries. There was even a black dress and shoes for the funeral tomorrow. I swollowed a sob and closed the bag. I couldn't think about the funeral. I couldn't let myself think about tomorrow.

After getting my arm wrapped, I showered. I scrubbed my skin so hard it hurt but I felt dirty! I needed to wash away the attack. Wash away the blood still on me and in my hair. I needed to wash away the guilt. There was no chance of that though. I sat on the floor of the shower when I was clean and cried. I cried until the water ran cold. Cried until a nurse came in, turned off the water, and helped me up off the floor. She helped me get dressed in a shirt of my dad's and a pair of sweatpants. She sat behind me and brushed my hair before braiding it. At some point she had reconnected my IV and gave me something to help me sleep before tucking me into bed and turning off the light. The door to my room was still open and I could hear people walking around, talking. There isn't much to do in a werewolf hospital. Everybody heals quickly! They only come by and stay after a battle. I'm pretty sure I'm the only patient here. I fell asleep to the sound of the nurses hushed talk outside my door. I expected my usual nightmare but instead I dreamed of that gargoyle. The one who saved me. He was stone but it felt like he was calling to me. It felt like he was waiting for me. I wanted nothing more than to go to him. Did I imagine everything? Did I imagine him coming to life and saving me?