Lynn woke with a start. She had fallen asleep in the chair next to Syllea’s bed. The woman looked to see what had caused her to wake. She looked at the teen girl and knew that she was the reason. Syl was tossing and turning, tears slipping down her cheeks. Lynn thought to wake her, but the girl was suddenly still. Her tears stopped. The guard blinked in confusion, watching Syl carefully. “You’re here.” The teen whispered in her sleep. The relief in the girl’s voice eased Lynn, and she settled back into her chair. She closed her eyes and dozed off once more.
“You were the cause of the fight! You’re the reason I threatened to leave!” Dem scolded Syllea.
“Because of you, forcing me to show my bruises, our parents got in a huge fight. How could you do such a thing?” Em cried.
“I…I didn’t force anyone to do anything.” Syllea said, in between gasps.
The two just glared at her, and Syl began to tremble. The scolding had been going on for what felt like an eternity. “Boys, do what you will with her.” Dem finally said, turning away from Syllea.
“Pa-pa, I am s-sorry,” she said in between gasps, but she knew she was too late; he was already walking away with his arm around her sister.
She heard footsteps behind her; she turned to see the group of boys that had caused her to stay in bed. “No,” she whispered, trying to scramble away from them. She tripped and fell to the ground. Upon instinct, she curled into herself to protect her body from the blows.
From the corner of her eye, she saw a blur of white fur run past her, then suddenly the boys were gone. Her wolf stood in front of her. Syllea sat up, frozen in place. “You’re here,” she whispered, reaching towards him. The wolf put his muzzle into the girls’ hands, his eyes closing.
She stared at the wolf intensely as if trying to figure out something. “I wish you could confirm what…or who you are.”
The wolf’s eyes flickered open and stared at her. His eyes shined like blue ice but were full of warmth and kindness. Syllea shifted uncomfortably under his stare. “Sorry,” she murmured.
The wolf made a noise that almost sounded like an awkward laugh. The girl smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his fur. “I don’t know if your real or just some part of my dream right now, but I am happy either way.”
The wolf shut his eyes again and sighed, placing his head against the girls’ shoulder as she hugged him. After a moment, he nudged her off of him, and then he disappeared.
Syllea’s eyes fluttered open, and she stretched her body, being careful not to pull on her side. She sat up without thinking but didn’t feel any pain. She smiled; she was hoping she was getting better. Rae would be there to check up on her soon. Not wanting to wake Lynn, who was asleep on the chair next to her, Syllea grabbed a book from under her pillow and began to sketch a childish version of her wolf on one of the empty pages.
