unbroken (unexpected series)

Chapter 27

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Oakley POV

“So she can hear us now?” Ben asked his voice muffled somewhat, but nonetheless I could hear them, but I couldn’t understand what had happened. How did they all get to the mountain?  You aren’t on the mountain Oakley, Byrdie told me.

“Yes, she can hear you, but it’s like she’s under water,” Chelsea said, I inhaled, Byrdie was right, I couldn’t smell the rain, or the flowery ground, wet dirt, the flowers, nothing, instead I inhaled cleanliness. The harsh scent of disinfectant, Ben, uncle Grant, aunt Julia, and Chelsea the strongest, but there was a scent missing, I had followed it, but now trying to remember it, I seemed to be coming to a blank.

“Oakley can you try opening your eyes,” Chelsea asked in a low whisper, and as I tried to do what she asked, I struggled unable; everything felt heavy and weighted down, “Just rest you…” I hear uncle Grant, but I couldn’t hold onto his voice for very long, the fog between us thickening, I heard nothing after that, and I didn’t try to fight the fog.

“Do you enjoy being a wolf?” I heard aunt Julia speaking, wolf? Who was she speaking too? Chelsea? I thought unsure, everything hazy in my mind, “yes, I really love it,” a familiar voice answered – Ben? Ben wasn’t a wolf, I thought confused, “what’s your favorite part? What’s it like Ben?” aunt Julia asked and I heard Ben hum thinking of his response.

My body still felt weighted and I tried moving a limb, wiggling a toe, twitching a finger but nothing, “I love running, going fast, the – one the sides when I’m running, I really love how things just blend together, I really like the speed,” Ben said and his answer pushed me more. The harder I fought the more things I found I could feel but I soon realized that I did not like the feeling. Pain – a dull ache – took my breath away, my mouth opening before my eyes.

“Oak?”

“Bee?” Julia and Ben spoke simultaneously, “Are you awake?” I groaned, trying my hardest to open my eyes, blinking first, my head lolling to the side. Sighing, I saw blurry images of Ben with his head a foot away from mine, blinking; I tried to bring focus to his eyes, seeing utter relief in his eyes. Swinging my gaze up lazily I saw aunt Julia, her eyes red, tears brimmed to the lid, falling over, but there was no sadness there. I furrowed my brow, confusion in the pattern in my head and for a short moment, panic seized my heart, “It – I – it wasn’t real?” I moaned the load of disappointment turned my stomach. Surprise on their faces, Ben glanced up at aunt Julia, confused, “but – but you – wolf – no,” I cried my own tears, the jerking only hurting me more, but I didn’t care. “Bee? What’s wrong? Does it hurt real bad?” Ben asked me but I couldn’t answer, I shook my head forcing my hands to move, to feel my wrist. 

“Oh sweetheart,” aunt Julia whispered her voice thick and low, “You’re on the island Oakley, you aren’t back in Middleburg,” she said the words that helped me, calmed me, I panted, the air burning my chest but I could handle that, being back in Middleburg just the thought was painful to me.

“I – ugh” I coughed, my throat dry, sticking my tongue out to wet my lips, I found my mouth just as dry, unable to speak, “here – here” aunt Julia fretted about pouring me a cup of water, bringing it to my lips, two sips, burned going down my throat. Nodding I pulled my lips away signaling her, “What were you thinking Oakley?” Ben asked as she drew the cup from me.