***
Don’t die, a sweet voice begged. Don’t tell me I was too late. Dru is going to kill me. My heart pounded, thoughts slowing congealing, one word echoing above the others, Dru. Yes, yes, that’s it. Oh thank God. She kept talking, the words scrambling around in my head, but I didn’t try to make sense of them. A keen sense of loss pierced me and I reached, trying to find the cause for the huge hole in my mind.
Pack. The thought consumed me.
We can get you to your Pack, a frantic voice assured me. Just wake up and tell me where they are. Oh God, preferably before she wakes up.
A tiny light flared to life, its light comforting me, but not explaining the deep sorrow I continued to feel.
Dru will be here soon.
Dru, I repeated, latching onto the name as sorrow sent a sharp pang through me. She was the reason I felt this way.
Yes, Dru, the voice answered, sounding relieved and familiar. Dru will know what to do. The voice paused and I recognized it as female. I hope.
I pried my eyes open a crack, but could only see a curtain of white. The curtain parted and insanely blue eyes met mine. You’re awake, a surge of relief shot through me, but I knew it wasn’t mine. Those eyes began to glow as heat snaked through my head. You’re hurt but I can’t tell where, she told me, her lips pressed together in concentration. Can you tell me where it hurts?
Paige, I stated and she nodded, giving me an encouraging look.
Yes, I’m Paige. It’s good you know who I am. Stress lines bracketed her mouth, aging her, and I tried to pat her hand, but fell short.
I’m okay, I tried to reassure her, but she only gave me a doubtful stare. I promise.
I can feel your pain, she explained, her eyebrows drawing down. I just can’t find its source.
Some wounds you can’t heal, I informed her, knowing the pain she referred to was the loss of my bond with Dru. She lifted her hands from my head, and sat back on her heels, studying me. You just have to live with them. Memories and thoughts pieced themselves back together, reminding me who I was, and I dragged myself into a sitting position.
Where is Dru? I asked, unable to reach her mentally even though I had no problem communicating with Paige. I slumped forward, fighting the weakness that plagued me, but it was impossible.
She’s on her way back, Paige assured me. She’s just not here yet.
My gaze caught on the crumpled form of Paige’s Gran and I asked, What happened? Paige’s eyes widened as she gave me a frightened look and I shook my head. I’m not going to be mad, I told her, really hoping the old bat was dead.
I…., Paige stopped, staring at me like she hoped I could just read her mind so she wouldn’t have to say it out loud.
You have to tell me, I prompted, switching my gaze from Gran lying there to Paige.
I hit her, Paige answered, the words barely a whisper in my mind.
I nodded, impressed despite myself. Why did you come? I asked, puzzled by her presence.
Dru sent me, Paige rocked back on her heels. I was almost too late.
But you weren’t too late, I told her and nodded to Gran. And you saved my life.
Paige bobbed her head, wrapping her arms around herself as she looked over her shoulder at her grandmother. But she’s going to wake up eventually, she finally answered and I winced, no longer ignorant of her Gran’s ability. Then what do we do?
I didn’t have an answer for her as I shuddered with cold, unable to regulate my body temperature. Paige saw and seemed to realize the problem. She gathered the few clothes lying around and handed them to me. What do you need?
Food, I grimaced at the gnawing sensation in my stomach. A lot of it.
She shot me an apologetic glance and shook her head. Dru is supposed to bring meat. Paige rubbed her hands together. There’s never enough to go around.
How many? She gave me a confused look and I clarified. How many live here?
22, she answered.
They don’t provide food? I questioned and she glanced down. They don’t share the responsibility?
They’re old mostly. There are a couple younger than me, but if they could leave they did, she explained. There are no jobs here, and Gran is, we both glanced over at the old woman on the ground, still formidable even when she was down, Gran, Paige finished with an audible gulp.
And you won’t explain why you won’t leave?
Paige grew thoughtful, but before she could say anything we heard shouting. She scrambled to her feet and shot me a frightened look. They can’t find her here like this.