by Ava D. Dohn
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A painful coughing spell woke Terey from a fitful coma, her dreams having passed into the worlds beyond and returned again. Torrid dreams they were, too - ghastly, filled with unspeakable terrors and endless nightmares. As her eyes recognized shadowy forms flitting about and her ears listened to harried voices, she dare not believe she was awake, or even really alive.
She cried out, sputtering, coughing up bloody mucus that cut her voice off to little more than a whisper. “Am I returned, or do I reside beyond the worlds of visions, dreaming yet another horrid nightmare?”
A gentle hand swept down along Terey’s cheek, a voice softly singing a healing melody in the words it was speaking. “Alive? Oh, so alive you are, my darling sister. Back from the darkness you have come to me, to refresh my spirit and revive my heart. Yes, oh yes, so alive you are. So far away you have been.”
Slowly, Terey’s eyes began to focus, the shadowy face revealing two hypnotic, dark orbs staring into hers, handsomely full lips speaking ever so softly, “An… Ann… A…nn…a.” She muttered in surprise. “I am still in a vision lost. You cannot be Anna.”
The person grinned, as she continued to softly stroke Terey’s face. “You do not sleep, nor are you lost in vision. I have come to you across time and space to be near my dear sister. My fear was your demise, for no report of your survival came to my ears until I stepped aboard the medical ship and searched for you myself.”
Medical ship? Aboard a medical ship? Why was she not on the Chisamore? What had happened? She could remember little more of recent events other than being thrown to the floor and hitting her head. Seeing Terey’s growing concern, Anna motioned to a doctor who quickly injected Terey with more sedative. Drifting off into dreamy nothingness, Terey could feel Anna’s warm breath on her face as she whispered her promise to remain close until the woman awoke.
Terey was much more alert later the following day. After taking some mint tea and a bite or two of dry toast, she began to pester Anna with numerous, troubling questions. Anna finally surrendered up to the moment, believing her companion would not rest again until proper answer was received. “I will tell you all there is to tell, or at least all there is to tell you about this adventure, for there have been many adventures over the past few days, and yours is but one of them. Please be patient with your sister and I will reveal all you need to know… for now.” Terey thanked Anna, groaning a little as she wiggled about in her bed.
Anna began, “As soon as report reached our ears, our darling girl, Mihai - with Mother’s blessing, of course - requested that I immediately take my leave to assist in giving aid to the survivors of the Chisamore disaster. After all, I am a renowned healer.”
“Taking passage on a very fast patrol ship, I departed EremiaPikros and soon found myself on the medical ship, Nhoset, the captain of the Chisamore notifying me that those in greatest need were already aboard this vessel and headed for Tilgath on Pilneser. It was by chance that I found you, my dear companion. Dreadful it was at first to find this out, for only the severely injured are here.”
She softly patted Terey’s hand, smiling. “The doctors say you are healing quickly, and that your damaged lungs are on the mend. Your other injuries…well, I guess from what they say, were not life-threatening.” She paused, stroking Terey’s face. “So now you know how I came to be here and to where you are headed.”
“What of the Chisamore and the others?” Terey asked, concern growing in her voice. “Did everyone…?”
Anna placed a finger to Terey’s lips, frowning sadly. “Over thirty of your fellows did not survive the ordeal.” She wiped a finger across her eye. “We came to believe that you, too, were among the lost, fearing your body one of those still entombed in unreachable parts of the ship. The captain has gotten up steam after making needed repairs, but fears the Chisamore may not make the long journey back to the navy yard. Tugs are staying close if a need arises. He has with him only a tiny crew, just in case, you know - mostly engineers and technicians to keep things running.”
Tears ran down Terey’s cheeks as she thought about the many who had perished and the many more injured. Before she could respond, a nurse arrived to flush her lungs. While the nurse set up the machine, Anna chatted on about other less important matters, promising to stay close for the remainder of the trip to Tilgath on Pilneser.
“I will return in a little while, after you’re rested a bit.” She kissed Terey on the forehead. “And then we will talk some more, I promise. Why, I will even stay a while with you after we reach the sanitarium in the city.”
Terey nodded dreamily as the fluids began to fill her lungs, they having a sedative-like effect on her. In a few minutes, she was fast asleep.
