Chapter 19

NOVA.

The creature was after me again.

Its blue skin dripped greenish blood. Somehow it had survived Sean's attack, minus an arm and some flesh from its torso as it staggered towards me. Spit flew everywhere as it snapped incoherent words.

I shrieked and tried to run, but before I could, it knocked me over again. I crawled to the best of my abilities, but my shoulder prevented me, bent at a weird angle.

A sudden warmth crept upon me, and before I knew it, my clothes were burning. I screamed, trying to pry the burning fabric from my body, but it was melting me. It lapped up my skin, climbing the long sleeves of my top. The ghoul laughed, pointing a clawed finger and clapping its hands.

"Help me!" I screamed, the flames creeping up to my shoulders.

But no one was there. The ghoul had vanished. I looked around in panic, spotting a stream in the distance. Moving through the pain, I pushed myself into it, being swept off of my feet. The flames died out easily, but my nightclothes stuck to me like glue. My skin was black and bleeding, and blisters of puss formed instantly.

I cried in that water. Frightful of what to do next since the attack. I was alone. And in pain. A piece of large tree bark floated by, and I clung to it in desperation. The cooling of the water helped my wounds, and the gentle rocking support of the river kept my nerves at bay. Eventually, I passed out, floating down the stream as tears poured down my face.

***

I woke the next morning in bed.

"It was just a dream." I mumbled, scratching at my arms.

It felt so real. So terrifying. I could still feel the burns on my arms as the fire consumed my skin.

I pushed it as far away in my mind as I could and looked around my room. Someone removed my IV, but left my arm in the sling. Eyeing the clock, I found it was ten in the morning, so I slithered out of my bed and into the shower. Stripping off my clothes and the sling, I had to be careful of my arm movements, but I managed. It had improved a little through the night, weirdly.

The warmth of the shower's embrace was comforting after spending so much time asleep. I felt the grogginess wash away as my body slowly came to life with each passing moment.

Whilst I had showered, someone had entered my room and placed a tray of food on my bed. Drying off, I wore a large black jumper before putting my sling back on and some leggings. I hummed and sat down, eying up the plate that Lucie had brought. I hardly had an appetite in the mornings, but I hadn't eaten in two days and the bacon sandwich looked really good.

My attempt at eating took time, not wanting to rush myself in fear of nausea. When I finished, I lounged around the window seat with a cup of tea. A knock sounded on my door and I eyed it suspiciously.

"Nova?" It was Lucie.

Hey," I called. "Come in."

She cracked the door, smiling timidly. "Doctor Green wants to see you."

An icy bolt of dread shot down my spine and I froze in my seat. I could feel my heart racing as my vision blurred, my hands shaking.

I shook my head vigorously. "N-n-no!"

"It is to check you over." She frowned.

I shook my head again, my hands grasping my mug. "I c-can't."

"Why not?" She pressed.

I swallowed the lump in my throat. "I just c-c-can't."

"I will go inform the alpha." She sighed and disappeared before I could protest.

My deep-rooted doctor fear was overwhelming. They always got me in my most defenseless state; in the hands of their mercy. I couldn't deal with the prodding, the wondering if everything was okay. The pain they inflict and the drugs they administer to knock me out. The fear of what could happen was intense and waking with no memory was worse. I had to trust their words, but how could I when they caused me pain?

My door opened again, but this time Lucie arrived along with- wait Beta Charlie? He was on a "holiday" looking for his 'mate', so I hadn't seen him since my old pack.

"Ah, it's little Nova!" He smiled and approached me.

I frowned at him, unhappy to be called 'little'. "Beta Charlie, how c-c-can I help?"

"You need to see the doctor. Alpha insists on making sure you are okay." He spoke gently.

"I c-can't g-go." I mumbled, my eyes focused on my toes in their fuzzy socks.

"Are you afraid?" His head tilted in curiosity.

I mutely nodded, staring at a loose thread on my sock. Charlie had a weirdly calming aura, and I felt my body lose some of its tension.

"Why?" Lucie wondered.

I shrugged, trying to appear indifferent.

"Is it to do with your old pack?" Beta asked.

I shrugged. "Kind of."

Setting my cup down, my lone arm wrapped around my knees as I turned to look back out the window. Wolves walked by, pleasantly chatting as they strolled. They didn't have to go to the doctor!

The hairs on the back of my neck rose, and goosebumps prickled at my skin. Authority filled my senses, and I turned just as Phoenix walked into my room.

I swallowed harshly as he walked through Lucie and Beta Charlie, the latter scowling at him. My wolf was purring at his broad and strong demeanor, but I knew he could crush my world in one flick of a finger.

"Nova, please come see the doctor." He stated.

My lip wobbled, my heart clenching in pain as my breath caught in my throat. Panic rose and tears formed in my eyes. My mouth opened and closed but no words came out because my tongue felt heavy.

He sighed. "It is very important they check you over. I will not have a weak may-member of my pack."

I shook my head vigorously, recognizing his quick change of words. I felt the frustration in the room to grow and both Charlie and Lucie had both dropped their heads.

"I didn't want to do this." He muttered. "It is for your own good."

I nearly hyperventilated when my wolf automatically made me look him in the eyes. My body was frozen on the outside but a war consumed me within. His gaze softened slightly at my tears and he paused what he was going to say. But then he shook his head and sighed.

"Nova." His voice held me at his command. "You are going to see the doctor. Right now."

I whimpered at his firm command but could not fight it; I was too vulnerable right now. He directed all of it at me, and I felt the full force of its wrath. My head dropped and tears cascaded down my face. I shakily rose from my chair, staring at the ground. Charlie's hand brushed my back as I passed him and followed Phoenix out of the room.

It was a short walk, but my anxiety never left. I wanted to run, to scream and shout at him that I didn't want to go. But I couldn't.

It felt like forever waiting for the doctor before someone escorted me into a private room. Alpha came in with me, but I refused to meet his eyes as I sat before a desk.

I thought I heard him whimper a sigh, but put it down to his disappointment.

"Nova..."

I jumped at the sound of his voice. My head raised to glance at him, spotting him standing stoically by the window. His face was hard and stern, arms folded across his chest as he stood like a statue.

"I'm sorr-

"Nova Hope?" An unfamiliar voice interrupted as they stepped into the room.

Seeing the white coat and green scrubs had my breath hitch, and I stared at the woman wide-eyed.

"Hey, hey it's okay. I will do nothing to you. I'm just going to sit and we are going to talk. Okay?" She cooed, and to her word, took the chair in front of me.

She passed me the tissue box, which I took with a cautious glance. After sniffing them to make sure they were not a trick, I dried most of my face and neck.

"Much better. Now I can see your pretty face through all those tears." She hummed. "I'm Doctor Farrah, but you can call me Kate, okay?"

I nodded, wiping my face again. For an hour, Kate continued to speak to me and before I knew it, I was calm and talking like she was a friend. Alpha stayed in the back of the room, mostly on his phone, but I could feel him glance at me now and then.

I had never felt so content in a doctor's office, but Kate made it seem like two friends chatting. She asked me about myself and back home, but I didn't splurge on a lot. She mentioned my stutter, and I wasn't sure how to answer.

"So it just developed?" She quieted.

I nodded. "When I w-w-was about thirteen."

"I have a feeling you can grow from it. Something must have triggered it." She smiled sadly and rummaged through her desk. "Now we've had a wonderful chat, Nova, but I am going to need to take a sample of blood."

My eyes widened, and the dormant fear came back to take hold of me.

"Now, Nova, we are friends. Remember, I will not hurt you. It is a simple needle. You won't even know I'm doing it after a scratch. I'm sure a girl such as you can handle a minor scratch. It will be over within ten seconds; I just have to check for ghoul poisoning."