Demon King: Awakening

Chapter 10

A few moments later, the door swung open and Kobel nearly stormed in. His rage practically consumed the room, until he laid his eyes on Areana, and then he started to pull back his fury. “What happened?” He nearly growled.

Leonard looked over at him, clearly unfazed by his temper, growl, and words. “She suddenly started to cry, I haven't been able to calm her. I fear if she does not calm down, she will tear all her stitches out and this will cause more damage.” He quickly informed the king as he stood, appearing to slowly make his way to the door.

Kobel motioned, allowing for him to leave the room. Leonard bowed before exiting and closing the door behind himself. “What's wrong, Areana?” He turned his full attention to her.

She looked up, trying to read his expression and understand his intentions, “I'm fine.” She whispered, trying to slow her breathing to appear calm.

He looked at her unconvinced by her response, “That can't be true.” He said, raising his eyebrow. “Please tell me.” He implored her.

She looked up to the ceiling, silently praying that God would give her the strength and knowledge to know what she should do in this unprecedented situation. She felt the pull to trust him and, oddly, she agreed with the inner voice, “There's a war coming.” She finally said. “I'm the only one aware of the truth behind it and my father will be placed into the front lines more than likely due to the prince's disdain for me.” She started to explain, but she couldn't finish.

The door swung open with the doctor rushing inside, followed by the nurse. He stopped suddenly when he saw the king seated next to Areana. “Your majesty, I didn't realize...” He began, fear lacing his words. “My apologies, I can come back later.” He started to turn back but was stopped when Kobel spoke.

“No, please tend to her. She is in pain. I will simply come back later when she is feeling better.” Then he turned his attention back to Areana, lowering his voice, “Please do not worry. I do not intend to have this war. I will do all I can to stop it.” He tried to reassure her.

“There's more,” she whispered.

“I will be back, do not worry.” He smiled as he rose and headed toward the door. “Take good care of her.” He narrowed his gaze at Doctor Rataloan to express his intent of harm if something were to happen to her.

“Of course, your majesty.” He bowed quickly, shielding the fear plastered over his face.

Doctor Rataloan waited until Kobel had left the room and was replaced by Leonard before he approached her bed, “What happened?” He asked.

She was exhausted and her mind raced. How could demons be so different from what she had been taught? They were supposed to be selfish, murderers, and without compassion everything that was supposed to be evil in the world. Yet Kobel had stopped a fight between humans and demons, he had saved her from the roadside and had even given her medical care. He was everything a demon should not be. Maybe her theories had been right. Maybe not all demons are bad. Maybe there is a way back, a way back to being human for these demons.

She sighed and finally decided it was best to be truthful. “I was thinking of my father.” she nearly began to cry again.

The nurse quickly stepped in to explain, “As I explained, Doctor Rataloan, she was crying and tore some of her stitches.” She tried to appear calm, but it was very apparent that she was nervous about what he would do to her.

“You were on duty, were you not?” He turned to look over at the nurse.

“Yes, but I had been checking some of her vitals and was looking over her chart to make sure everything was alright when suddenly she started to tear some of the stitches.” She quickly explained, trying to give herself an excuse for what had happened.

“How could you miss this? You were right there!” He bellowed. “You know if she dies, we die!” He stepped closer to her, seething.

“Yes, I'm sorry.” She began to cower, showing her cat-like instincts. “I'll try to keep her calm from now on,” she promised.

Doctor Rataloan huffed once more before speaking, “This time we aren't in danger.” He said as he went around her bedside to check on her wound. He lifted the blanket and then pulled back the gauze. There was blood and stitches had indeed been torn, but it appeared that she hadn't lost too much blood. “ Let's just stitch her back up and clean the wound.” The nurse followed behind the doctor, making sure to leave space between her and him. She still appeared to fear that he was going to strike her or worse.

“Yes, doctor.” She squeaked as she gathered the thread and needle, placing them on a tray next to some swabs and alcohol solution for cleaning. She kept her head down, trying to focus on cleaning up the wound and avoid the gaze of the doctor.

“Once you have completed her cleaning, stitching, and dressing her wound again, you are not to take your eyes off her. I do not wish to die because of your mistake.” He hissed at her.

“Yes, of course, doctor.” She whispered, bowing slightly.

“Good, I'm glad that you understand.” He said before he started to leave the room.

Areana allowed their unkind conversation to distract her, but as the doctor began his exit, her thoughts began to drift again. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to make the thoughts and worries go away. “Is there anything that you can give me?” She whispered. She didn't want to let the thoughts win, she didn't want to tear the stitches again and cause more trouble.

“Are you in pain?” The nurse quickly inquired.

“Yes, I can't rest. Not like this.” She responded.

The nurse looked worriedly up at the doctor, who had not heard her comment. She straightened herself up, finished the last stitch and then set down the needle and thread onto the tray. “Please don't move.” She cautioned. Areana nodded slightly, trying to give her some relief from her worries. “I'm going to get you something,” she whispered with a faint smile, that appeared more to calm Areana, not to actually show kindness.

“Dr. Rataloan, please wait a moment.” She tried to speak more confidently. He stopped in his steps and turned slowly without saying a word, waiting for her to continue, “She is asking for more pain relievers.” She explained, quickly, fidgeting with her hands as she waited for him to respond.

He cleared his throat, before responding, “Describe your pain.” He directed his attention to Areana, no longer looking at the nurse who went back to placing an ointment onto her wound.

“I am in so much pain that I can't relax and sleep.” She explained, feeling like her explanation was not very good.

“I see, we have medicine that is for demons, but as for humans, we have nothing in stolk that would be safe for you. Would it be alright to have a sedative? It would make you less aware of the world around you while also reducing the amount of pain you feel.” He explained to her.

“That's fine,” she whispered, grateful for the option of reducing her pain and possibly drifting off a dream world.

A moment later, the nurse was placing the bandage back on her wound and then injected the sedative into her arm. “Thank you.” She said, smiling faintly.

The nurse didn't respond. She simply finished the injection, cleaned up her tools, and then sat back down in her chair across the room. Finally, Areana was able to let her mind drift peacefully into the darkness of her dreams. Dreams that meant nothing, dreams that she would not remember when she opened her eyes again. They were her only moments filled without pain. Her body relaxed, peacefully.