Chapter 20: Mark of the Moon 2
1011 Words
Lucy's POV
Eli’s unexpected, strange symptoms didn't stop as I convinced myself they would change with time; instead, the glowing eyes and even the heightened senses increased daily. They haunted my sleep, my peace, and every minute of my existence. I kept replaying all that I had passed through in my small head, how he transformed into something I couldn't explain instead of getting better.
Now, as I was still struggling to comprehend what happened to my brother, I suddenly started showing signs I couldn’t explain either.
It started in a mild form—so small that I ignored it. It went from random aches, which I consider part of hormonal changes in my body, to pains that I couldn't explain. I took it to be one of those tricks pregnancy does on women, especially since I'm carrying two nations in me.
I took it for stress and told myself that my body was reacting to the poison it had encountered not long ago. But that was a lie I told myself; it was more than that.
Then again came a point where I couldn't take it again. My whole body was no longer mine; my skin felt like it was on fire and still strangely cold at the same time. It was like I was in between two different worlds. I saw myself manifesting a lot of strange characters. My visions would blur just when I needed it the most. Then were the moments I would catch myself intensely staring at the moon like I had a business with it. It would always appear to be calling me, and the urge to answer was unexplainable.
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One evening, when Nurse Kara came to discharge her duties by checking my vitals again, I found myself eager to talk to her; maybe she might have an answer to my many questions. So, with courage, I asked, “Nurse Kara, please...”
She glanced up immediately upon hearing her name as if she had been waiting for me to call her.
“I think… I think you need to know this. There seemed to be a lot more happening here than we think. This is not just a normal pregnancy as we all assumed it to be,” she announced quietly, almost like she had not hidden it from me.
I swallowed hard, my fears coming to reality. “What exactly do you mean by that?”
Her hesitation to speak even made things worse. “I’ve witnessed strange happenings over the years since I resumed work here as a nurse, but I would tell you this for free: this one is way out of place. I haven't seen anything of this nature. This isn't ordinary; there's something supernatural about this pregnancy, and you must search for whatever it is before it becomes too late."
I laughed bitterly, and my heart jumped as I couldn't even recognize the sound I was making. “Supernatural, how's that even possible? You mean something related to werewolves or… what exactly?”
Kara’s gaze landed on my already sweaty and shaking hands. “I don’t know for sure what it's all about. But I know for sure, whatever this is, it’s not as ordinary as we all termed it. Your body’s no longer responding to medical treatments but reacting in ways it shouldn’t. And with the way Eli also behaved...” She trailed off, suddenly facing the beeping machine like she was scared to finish what she was saying.
I closed my eyes in pain and frustration. I was already more than exhausted by just serving as a surrogate mother and the trouble that came with it; why am I also experiencing this one now? Everything I knew about myself was gradually turning into a mystery.
“Why me? Why am I cursed?” I whispered, already tearing up and my voice breaking. “Why am I experiencing all of these?"
Kara was moved by my sudden break, and she moved closer and sat beside me, doing her best to soothe me. “Because you’re a strong woman and can handle whatever comes your way, Lucy. Stronger than you have even imagined.”
I gave her a weak smile to show her that her efforts weren't in vain, but inside me, I felt empty and broken. I was tired of fighting to live in a horrible world that cared not about my feelings before tossing the tides against me. Tired of the many secrets and uncountable lies yet to be revealed and the unending chaos that walks hand in hand with them.
“I don’t seem to know who I am anymore," I admitted truthfully. “The choices I had made, my life, everything about me feels like a total mess. And I’m scared of the next that would happen, Kara. Scared, I might not live to see to the end of it all."
She reached out to hold me, giving me a warm and comforting hug. That is exactly what I needed at the moment so as not to pass out. “You should know that this isn't your fight alone. We’ll not leave you but figure this out together. But you should know that it's only one step at a time.”
In desperation, I wanted to erase everything from my memory and believe her. But the moon outside my window seemed to need my attention more than I needed it for myself.
Was it because I was carrying hybrids inside me? If that's the case, what would it then mean for Eli?
Will Ryker have answers or solutions to my many questions? Will he help if I run to him, or will he push it off and focus on his pack business alone?
Could this also be a curse from Ryker, following me for agreeing to bear his heir? What if I hadn't accepted to work for him and save my brother, will things have been much different?
Will my life ever return to normal? Or will I never be able to turn back?
- Writer
