by Laura Tree
Chapter 45
The next couple of days fly by. Taking care of my basic needs has never been more satisfying. I relish every shower and every bite of food that I’m given.
I thought that I would be eating like a horse, but the reality of it is that I can barely eat a few bites of a sandwich. I guess being knocked out for five days and not being able to eat will cause your stomach to shrivel up to the size of a walnut.
The boys have respected my request for privacy. They only make one visit a day to check up on me, although I can feel them nearby the rest of the time.
The physical therapist is a sweet woman in her mid--thirties. She works with me for six hours a day. I feel bad taking up all of her time, but she assures me that I’m her only case at the moment.
That leaves me a lot of time to think about things. I have to admit it’s the brain break that I seriously need right now. It’s the first time since I found out that I was a Suppliant that I have been left alone for any significant amount of time.
I will have plenty of time to daydream about my future after I find the Pendant. I want to find it so I can find my parents, but I’m not sure what I’m supposed to do with it once I’m finished. I know that Queen Merona is hoping to win me over to the Light side so that I can share it with her. But I also know that the Pendant is too potent to be in the Light or Dark’s hands. It has a tendency to overpower the people wielding it. That’s why it was hidden away in the first place.
I try to picture living out my day happily in a small cottage. That’s the life that I want. To ride Silver and make food and raise a family, but the dilemma of which Protector I will choose is still there.
On one hand, I have Damien. He has been there for me since the beginning. I made the choice to be joined with him. He is caring, handsome, and everything I want in a spouse. I can picture living out the remainder of our lives in his cottage and starting a family.
On the other hand is Zeke. Zeke and I were accidentally joined, but I have really come to care for him. He has been so supportive and protective of me. I can also picture making a family with him; I think he would fit in better on the Mortal Realm.
This decision is just too hard to make. I want to be with both of them; I love both of them. I should just enjoy the time that I have left with them, because I can’t choose one without hurting the other.
I can feel them getting antsy. I can’t blame them. They both have the same goal in mind, but it would hurt me to the core to release one of them. The connection that we have can never be broken, and it would hurt too much to keep both of them in limbo for the rest of time.
I decide right then that I will use the time that I have left to focus on finding my parents and learning everything that I can about my new life. There’s nothing that I can do about our connection, and I can’t choose just one; I love them both.
I had asked Damien to get me some books from the library to help with my mission, and he pulls through. Within an hour, there’s a cart with every book that I need, placed next to my bed.
I open the first book and lose myself in research.
...
A knock on the door pulls me from my research. Trish bounces in, holding a steaming hot cup of coffee.
“My savior! Trish, I missed you.” I am elated to see such a friendly face.
“You look better than expected. I heard about the bomb and was told that you were also shot. Although they didn’t tell us that it was Anna until a few days later. What in the heck happened?” She walks over to sit in the chair by the bed.
The first sip of coffee makes my nerves bounce. I have missed my daily cup of joe. “I might as well tell you now. Anna was under the impression that Zeke and I had a secret relationship. She thought I was going to take her boyfriend and she threatened me. I just brushed it off thinking that she was being paranoid, but her threat was sound. At the Passing Ceremony she confronted me in the bathroom and pulled a gun on me. Apparently she already had the bomb waiting. After she shot me, she ran and set off the bomb. I’m lucky to have survived.” I try not to make her out to sound too crazy; she was Trish’s friend first.
“Holy crap, she’s insane. I knew something was up. I caught her whispering to some people and heard your name being mentioned, but I figured she was just spreading rumors. I can’t believe she tried to kill you.” Her arms are flailing, with ever--present drama. You have to love Trish.
“Yeah, I didn’t take her seriously. I won’t make that mistake again. This place is on a whole different level than my high school back home. I can’t believe people will go to such extremes to save a fading relationship. It’s not like Zeke and I were secretly dating anyway. Everyone knows that I’m with Damien.” I just want to forget about her, but I know that it’s not possible.
“I knew that her father was crazy; it must have rubbed off on her. With better news, it looks like you are healing well. How long will you be in here?” I could kiss her for changing the subject.
“The nurse said I would need a few more days of physical therapy before I can walk on my own, but I was doing pretty well today.” I kind of want to milk the PT because I know once I am released that I will be leaving The Isle for good. I already think of this place as home. It has a special place in my heart, and I’m anxious about the next portion of our journey.
“That’s a relief. I can’t wait till you get back to class. It’s been so lonely without you. Plus everyone is on edge. The campus has been the safest place in all of the Realms for so long; we all thought nothing could happen here.”
I down the last bit of coffee with a sigh. “That’s one of the reasons I applied here, but things can change in the blink of an eye. I have learned that lesson a few too many times over the past months. At least I have made some good friends, you included,” I say. It’s not like I’m Ms. Popular, but it is nice to have some solid relationships.
“We’re all thinking about you. I brought you something from everyone. We wanted to get you something that would help, so we pooled our resources and got you this.” Trish holds up a stone that looks like a diamond.
I take it in my hand and examine it. Immediately I feel the healing powers flowing from it. It’s a Herkimer Diamond. They are very rare in the Magical Realm and coveted for their healing abilities. I have only seen pictures of them, but they are never this big. What a great gift. The tears sting my eyes.
“Thank you, Trish. This is amazing. I am so blessed to have such great friends and professors. I have never seen a Herkimer Diamond before, especially one this big. It was so thoughtful of you,” I say. Our visit ends with tearful wishes.
When she leaves, I feel relief wash over me. I have never felt so loved. If I can’t find my parents, I have an army of friends and family.
