Chapter 24
1184 Words
I heard a snap, but I feel fine. Have I died so quickly that I couldn’t feel anything?
Wait a minute ...there’s no more pressure around my neck. What happened?
Slowly finding the courage to open my eyes, still, on all force, I see Jeremy panting in front of me. But he isn’t looking at me. His line of vision seemed more to my right.
Without even a thought as to what he could be looking at, I turn my head in the same direction.
Nothing in this life could have prepared me for what was lying next to me.
Blakes unmoving body. Glossed over eyes, looking straight at me with no life into them.
I have never seen a dead body before. The sight of him makes my heart race and my breathing erratic.
I think I might throw up…
Backing up, tumbling, and trembling like a falling leaf, I’m struggling to breathe.
“Lana! Don’t look. Turn your head!” Anthony says, placing himself in front of me, blocking my vision.
“You’re ok. You’ll be fine. We’ve got you.” He says, wrapping his arms around me, pulling my head close to his chest, rocking me back and forth trying to soothe me.
Where did he come from? He wasn’t even here a moment ago!
Actually, I don’t care where he came from, he just saved mine and Sacha’s life.
“Lana!” Jeremy worriedly says, taking me out of Anthony's arms and into his, holding me tightly.
“Ouch…” I cry out, pain radiating through my entire body. With all the tossing around, and trying to escape BLake, I must have gotten more hurt than I thought.
“Are you ok? Are you injured? Stupid question, of course, you're injured. Where did that bastard hurt you? Show me where!” He blurts out.
“I’m just sore,” I rasped out, my throat tightening in pain. It almost feels like it’s on fire.
Lifting my hand to my neck, I tentatively touch it. Hissing in pain, I remove my hand.
“Careful! Here, grab my neck, I’ll get you back to the hospital.” Jeremy says, taking my hands and placing them around his neck.
Shaking my head no, I let go of him.
“We can’t go back to the hospital. Our pack’s under attack. We’re supposed to get to a safe space.” I croak, pointing to the building behind us that's only about ten feet from us.
Looking from me to the safe-spaced door, I can see the gears turning in his head. With a resolved sigh, he picks me up again, and this time doesn’t allow me to let go.
“Ok. We’ll go in the safe space. But once there, I’m going to find you a doctor regardless of what you say!” He sais, a hint of frustration edging his words.
“Wait!” I exclaim, making him stop in his step.
“What is it?”
“We can’t go in there yet! We need to find Annabelle and make sure she’s ok!” I practically scream in his ears.
“She’s fine and in another safe space with Josh and Wesley. You don’t have to worry about her. She’s in good hands.
My shoulders sag, letting go of all the tension they were holding.
“Good, I’m happy to hear she’s safe.” I exhale in relief, closing my eyes and placing a hand over my chest.
When I open them back up, I’m met with Jeremy’s confused one.
“Who is she? Annabelle I mean. She’s what, five? Maybe six?” Jeremy question.
“I don’t really know her. I just met her on my way out of the hospital. She looked so scared. I don’t know. I just felt like I should take her with me and protect her. I don’t know why. I just had to.”
Jer only responds with a ‘hmm' making me frown.
Why did I feel the need to protect a young pup I just had met? It is weird.
Inside the safe space, we settle ourselves in the furthest corner. an awkward silence between me and Jer.
Looking around the room, so many she-wolfs, young pups and patients from the hospital are holding each other, trying their best to stay calm, but fear shines in their eyes. I feel for them. Not knowing what's going on, and being ushered out so fast, is worrisome.
Looking at Jer from the corner of my eyes, I pick at my fingernails.
“W-what’s going to happen to Blake’s body?” I tentatively ask.
“He can rot in a ditch for all I care!” He furiously spits out, making me jump.
Releasing the harshness of his tone, his eyes soften.
“Is Anthony going to be in trouble for killing someone on another pack's land? Even if he was from your pack?” I ask, unable to look him in the eyes this time.
“Considering we’ve been investigating Blake for the past few weeks, and the conclusion we came within the end, he might just get a medal of honor for doing a public service in killing him” He snorts, making me frown.
“What do you mean, investigate?”
Before Jeremy can answer, Anthony takes the lead.
“Exactly what he said.” He says looking around the room.
With a deep sigh, he closes his eyes before speaking again.
“He went after my little sister a few months ago. But three weeks ago, he actually tried touching her, that rat's ass bastard!” Anthony seethed through clenched teeth. “She's barely thirteen for f***s sake! It makes me sick!!!” He yells out, earning a curious look from a few people around.
“Thirteen…” I whisper, paling in mere seconds.
“Are you ok, Lana?” Jeremy asks in concern, making Anthony pause his anger.
“I’m fine…” I say, my eyes unfocused.
“You think I’ll believe you this time? That’s what you said the last time we saw each other. The night after that bastard did…. Anyway, you weren't fine then, and I know you are not fine now!” He blurts out with reproach edging his eyes.
Lowering my head in shame, I don’t respond.
“I’m sorry, Lana. That was uncalled for. It’s just, I, we can clearly see that you are not ok. We only want to make sure that you are now safe and taken care of. And you pretending that you're fine, isn't going to help either you or I.” He says, scratching the back of his head.
“I know,” I say, still not looking up.
“We don’t have to talk now if you don’t want to. Let me go and see if I can find a doctor in here to look at your injuries. Your neck is swelling like crazy and is turning purple.
“I’ll stay with her,” Anthony offers.
With a nod, Jeremy stands up and turns around searching for a doctor.
- Writer
