Chapter 13

"So, how'd it go with Malcolm?" Ramona asked, bracing her elbows against the table and leaning forward.

"Good," I answered. "It's nice to meet more of the pack."

"There's no rush to meet everyone, sweetheart. Just take your time to recover, okay?"

"Stop babying him, Ramona." Naja thumped her wife's head gently with the newspaper she was holding. "August is old enough to make his own decisions."

"Yeah, well. . . he's still a pup in my eyes," Ramona grumbled, swatting the newspaper away.

Pup. I haven't been called that since I last saw Damon. When he said it, it felt like an insult, a form of manipulation to make myself feel more vulnerable and submissive. But for some reason, when Ramona said it, I didn't even feel a hint of repulsion. Instead, it comforted me in a strange way; like someone was watching out for me.

I dazed off as the couple bantered back and forth. The background noise was welcome, as I hated silence. The empty ringing made it as though I was still trapped in that singular room, trapped in with Damon and nowhere else to go-

"August! August, it's okay now, you're here, you're safe. . ."

I didn't realize my vision was blacking out until Ramona embraced me tight. I leaned into her warmth, the stability of another person's touch bringing me back to reality, back to the kitchen table in the apartment.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, nuzzling my way deeper into Ramona's hug. "I don't know why that happens. . . It's annoying." 

She stroked my back, her fingers trailing along the spine in a soothing rhythm. "Don't apologize," she murmured, "this is a normal reaction when one goes though a traumatic event."  

Tears pricked at my eyes. Papa gave the best hugs, even when he was sick; he would hold me tight and whispered reassuring things into my ear, occasionally giving my forehead a quick kiss, insisting that I would never be too old for affectionate gestures. 

I pulled away first, wiping at my eyes furiously, not knowing what to say after something like that. Thankfully, Naja spoke up first.

"How about you take a hot shower, put on the new pajamas I bought for you today, and then watch a movie over hot chocolate and popcorn?" she suggested, reaching over to pat my shoulder. 

Echo purred.

I silently agreed, getting up and taking my time in the shower, letting the steaming hot water relax my tense muscles. When I grew tired of the shower, I got out to find a pair of flannel pajamas on the counter. The fabric was soft as I pulled it on, the long sleeves only adding to the comfort. It felt as though I was sinking in a warm cloud; pure bliss. Who knew a feeling like this could come from clothing?

I found Naja and Ramona waiting for me, both of them cuddled up on the loveseat together, leaving me to the armchair. I curled up with a blanket, enjoying the coziness it brought. "What movie are we watching?" I asked. 

Ramona grinned, grabbing the remote and began flicking though colorful channels that were foreign to me. "We have a ton of options. Just choose one that looks interesting," she said, slowing down so I could get a good look. 

There were so many movies, most of which were completely new to me. I didn't ever think I would be able to choose until one snagged my attention more than the rest, the cover featuring a young teenage boy who was riding on the back of what looked to be a black dragon. "That one," I said. "It looks interesting." 

"Oh! Good choice. This is one of my favorites!" Ramona squealed as she clicked on the movie. "Here, have some popcorn." 

As soon as the first image flashed on the screen, I knew that I would be blown away.

I was right.

*****

I awoke on the same armchair. After watching the first movie, I insisted we finish the trilogy in one go. Ramona was more than happy to oblige, and soon we were whisked away to the fantastical land of dragons and Vikings. I quickly fell asleep one the last movie ended, moved to tears by the story. Even my dreams were filled with the boy and his dragon.

"Good morning, sleeping beauty," Naja called from the kitchen, a cup of steaming coffee in hand. "I didn't have the time to make breakfast today thanks to last night, but we do have some cereal."

I got up with a groan, wincing at the bright cracks of sunlight streaming though the curtains. "That's okay. I don't think I could handle another one of your ginormous breakfasts, anyways." I threw her a cheeky grin, getting up to make a bowl of cereal.

"You little!" She put me in a gentle headlock, ruffling my hair. Echo stood down, watching with an amused expression. 

she said, sounding pleased.

Naja released me, leaving me to eat my breakfast in peace. "Malcolm emailed me early this morning," she said carefully. "Would you like to read it?"

I set down my spoon. "Yes, please," I said, reaching over to take her phone with shaking hands. I did my best to read, but after having not read in so long it took me a while to get though the introductions and pleasantries. I finally made it to the part about me, and did surprisingly well at keeping calm as I read down the list.

Malnutrition from lack of nutritious diet. Mild dehydration, lower than average blood pressure, vitamin deficiency. It went on and on, most of the things meaningless to me because I didn't know what they were. I skimmed through it all, reading as fast as I could until a certain word caught my eye. Drugged.

Malcolm did say that being drugged was a possibility behind my lack of heats. In the email, he invited me to his clinic for a blood test, along with a few other test he couldn't conduct from house calls. He said to drop in anytime, even after hours in case I wasn't comfortable around people yet. I told Naja about this, and she said she could take me around one o'clock. Ramona was at work, causing Naja to have an employee of hers to take over her class at the boxing studio today.

"Sorry for all the trouble."

She waved a hand. "Don't apologize. This is important for your health. Plus, that lazy werecat needed more hours anyways."

I finished off my breakfast, getting ready for the newest hurdle life was throwing at me.