When I started regaining consciousness, I heard hurried footsteps before someone said 'he's waking up.' Then more hurried footsteps happened before I managed to open my eyes. Groaning at the light, I took a minute to let my eyes readjust before I tried talking.
"How long was I out this time?" I asked groggily to no one in particular. My parents, brothers, sister, and guards were standing in my spaciously-sized hospital room. Somehow I was in the VIP area of the hospital.
"Not too long. You were unconscious for about three hours."Alex said, sitting on the end of the bed by my feet.
"I take it that school's not out yet?" Confusion laced my words. If school wasn't out, then how were my brothers here?
"Not yet. When Alex messaged us that you were admitted, we left school early. The rest of your guards followed us here." Josh said, explaining how they could be here. "Though, the students have a new name for me."
"Oh? What is it?" I asked, causing Josh to get a weird expression.
"They're now calling me a Beast Tamer." He grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Really? Beast Tamer?" I said laughing, which turned to groans as pain shot through my ribs.
"Careful, Andrew. I'm glad that you're awake and laughing, but your body might not appreciate it right now." Donny said as he finally walked in.
"What's the damage?" I asked once I could breathe again.
"Well, you have a mild concussion for starters. You also have three fractured ribs and your leg is going to take longer to heal due to your forced shift. It's now going to take four months to fully heal." Donny said while laying a hand on my left shoulder. "Before you leave today, I'm going to put your leg into an immobilizing brace. That should help it heal without aggravating the injury anymore."
"How long would I have to wear it?" I asked, not liking the idea of wearing a brace.
"I want you to wear the immobilizer for at least a month or two. After that, you can start putting weight on it again." Donny said, telling us his plan. Groaning, I leaned back against the pillows while my parents took care of the discharge paperwork. It didn't take long for the papers to be signed, or for Donny to come back and put the immobilizing brace onto my left leg.
We left the hospital and went to a buffet for dinner. Mom and dad are proud that I'm keeping my temper in line despite all that has happened recently. Even Mr. Deus has commented on it, though dad didn't tell us what he had said. All he did tell us was that Mr. Deus and his family were coming over for dinner tomorrow night.
I was grateful to Mr. Deus for saving me more than once, but he had a habit of treating me like a troubled teenager. Frankly, it pisses me off and I always have to bite my tongue when I'm around him. He always manages to make compliments sound like insults.
There wasn't any point in worrying about it anyway. Because of my mild concussion, I wouldn't be going to school tomorrow, so I would just spend it like I would any ordinary day off school. Taking it easy by reading, drawing, going to therapy, or watching TV is what I would do before dinner. Then I would eat, do my homework, and finally sleep.
After dinner at the buffet, we went home and relaxed before going to bed. I just had to make it through Friday before we went to the Blackstone Pack for the weekend. I was hoping my sleep would continue to be peaceful, but my luck wasn't that good. Instead of a dreamless sleep, I had a nightmare.
I was in a dank cell with water dripping from the ceiling. It was cold and I was hanging from shackles in a pair of boxers. Blood was running down my body as Diafol sliced into my skin, collecting my blood. Diafol was a Blood Witch that is obsessed with Shifter blood. She specialized in creating drugs to temporarily enhance a person's speed or strength. The drugs she creates work, but they are addictive.
I wasn't their only captive, but I was her favorite. She loved testing my body's limit before it gave out. Right now, I don't have the strength to do anything. I couldn't move, couldn't scream, and I could barely keep my eyes open. Time became nonexistent to me, and I didn't know how much time had passed before I was rescued.
I was woken up by someone shaking me while calling my name. Gasping, my eyes opened wide and I sat straight up on the couch. Cold sweat ran down my forehead and the back of my neck.
"Andrew? Are you okay?" Alex's concerned voice was muffled in my ears. Holding my head in my hands, I took deep breaths to resteady my breathing before answering my sister.
"Y-yeah. Just a nightmare." I said shakily. The nightmare was about something that happened when I was seven years old.
"Do you want to talk about it before therapy? Mom had it rescheduled for this morning. She asked me to take you." Alex said softly.
"Not really, but thank you." I said sincerely. My family has always been supportive and understanding when I needed my space. Getting up from the couch, I got ready for my therapy session before Alex helped me with the immobilizing brace. Once we were ready, she drove us the 25 minutes to my therapist's office.
Once we arrived, she checked me in and then we waited. It didn't take long before Ms. Welsh got me and took me to her office. When we were sitting, she started our session.
"So, tell me how you've been since we last met. I know you had just gone through the Inheritance process, and now something has happened to your leg?" She asked, a mix of curiosity and concern in her voice.
I proceeded to tell her about the school shooting, Bill's attack, and the nightmare from this morning. When I was done talking, we sat in silence. Lost in my thoughts, I almost missed what Ms. Welsh said.
"How does this make you feel? Tell me honestly." She said, breaking the silence.
"You want me to be honest? It pisses me off. I've spent years learning how to defend myself, so that I don't have to rely on others. But that's exactly what I have to do since I'm injured." I said. Finally losing my composure, I let my anger and frustration show.
"Can you take a few deep breaths for me, Andrew? I want you to calm down before our session ends." Ms. Welsh said calmly. Taking a few deep breaths, I calmed down. "Good. Now, I know you are quick to lose your temper, but it often clouds your thinking. Making you act on impulse or instinct. For the next two weeks, know that it's okay to get angry, but try to keep your mind clear. Can you try that for me?"
"I'll try, but no promises." I said before our session ended. With the next appointment scheduled for two weeks out, Alex and I went back home.