The filled the room, seemingly drowning in what was the current situation. In and out, in and out, carrying pans and basins of clean water and dirty rags. The air was thick with the raw smell of blood and even without seeing the contents; one could tell that the contents of those basins being carried out contributed heavily to the sudden gusts of iron and unpleasantry that wafted about the hall.

"What's wrong with her?"

A woman passed him with a distracted expression, looking at him briefly before whispering something that sounded a bit like, "Go to your room."

His lip curled in defiance.
They always insisted on treating him this way when things became serious. Lowering their voices and using words that he could only assume to be code. Ushering him out of rooms and ousting him from conversation. It was truly taxing.
Not waiting for anyone else to exit or reenter, he took to the bedroom at a brisk walk.

"Come away from there, Derek."

He stopped in his tracks, barely able to see her head against the pillow before more bustle filled in the gaps, making all but the sheets lost to his vision.
"But-"

"Away."

"Why?" He asked once, pressing a small palm to the doorframe, digging his nails into the wood as a pair of hands found his stiff shoulders.
"I can't leave her, she's hurt."

"She'll be fine. They're taking care of her."

"I can't leave her."

"Do you think you're doing her any favors by staying here?"

He didn't answer but slowly let his hand fall from its place on the wall.

"It'll be alright. Laura's been hurt worse."

That prospect did little to comfort Derek as he kept his focus ahead.
"Can't I just go in to see her?" His eyes were large when he broke his stare to look up. "She's never been shot before."

The hands loosened their grip, the older woman kneeling down to be at eye level with him.
"Derek, honey."

How he detested that phrase.

"Look at all this. Does it really seem like the time to be paying her a visit?"

"I…"

"Come on, your uncle Peter wants you downstairs with the others."

Reluctantly, he complied. Although he wanted to be by her side, he could already imagine her response to him being disobedient. There would no doubt be time to see her once they were finished cleaning her up. He knew that. He wasn't an idiot. He just couldn't wrap his head around being away from her at the moment, not even just a few steps away. She'd gotten hurt in his absence and despite her greater strength, he claimed some sense of responsibility for her current state.
One thing was certain, he would never watch her leave the house without him again.


In short, Laura was hurt while out around the woods and has worried a very young Derek.
More to come!