OLIVIA'S POV
I struggled to keep up with Scott and Mo as we trotted through the woods. My clumsiness didn't help as I tripped over roots and stumps. The moon gave little light as storm clouds approached, blocking any guidance it offered. Scott walked confidently on all fours with Stella slumped on his back, unconscious. She twitched and mumbled in her sleep, and my worry kept growing by the second. I tried to keep an eye on her so I knew she was still breathing. I couldn't imagine how my life would be like without Stella, and I couldn't bear to loose her…
Scott didn't seem to be worrying at all as he calmly swerved past trees and strode through the undergrowth. After what seemed like forever, I saw Stella's house through the trees. The three of us picked up our paces and walked up to the front door. I couldn't help but feel angry. I was still very lost on how Scott and Stella could be half wolf. Why didn't they tell us?
Scott paused at the door and swerved his head to look at Stella. He looked back at Mo and I as he nodded to Stella. Mo and I walked up to Scott and carefully lifted her off his back. We moved over a little so her weight wasn't so hard to bear. I looked back at Scott. I felt my heart beat faster as his form started to change, the same way Stella's had. It was over quick as his legs and arms turned upright, and he was standing on only two legs. His muzzle shortened as his face turned back to normal. The fur disappeared, turning into clothing. Standing there was now human Scott Pickett.
He took a step towards us and took Stella in his own arms. He carried her bridal style as he looked at us apologetically. "I'll explain everything when Stella is safe. Please open the door." He told us sympathetically. Mo walked forward and opened the door for Scott who walked in urgently. He sighed in relief and strode into the living room, with us following behind.
"Mr. Yamada!" He called through the house. I heard rustling as Stella's father came into the room from the kitchen. He stopped dead in his tracks and his eyes widened. "What happened?" He exclaimed running up to Stella in Scott's arms. She was still soaked and completely knocked out. "Ray." Scott answered angrily. Mo and I just stood back while we watched the exchange.
Mo leaned over to me without taking her eyes off the conversation. "Have any idea what's going on?" She asked, whispering. "None whatsoever." I muttered back. Mr. Yamada ran his hand through his short hair. "Bring her in here!" He commanded harshly. He walked into another room that led to the basement. Scott, Mo, and I followed carefully. We went down the stairs and walked over to a bookshelf.
"Stand back." Scott told us. Mo and I took a step back and watched as Mr. Yamada grabbed one the books. He pulled it out and in three times. He grabbed another book, a shelf higher and did the same thing twice. I realized it was a code. He pulled one more time before the bookshelf completely moved. My mouth dropped.
The book shelf slid sideways reveling a gap in the wall behind it. Scott wasn't surprised and confidently walked into the gap with Mr. Yamada following. Mo and I cautiously stepped into the hole. "Oh. My. God." The two of us said in unison. I breathed in amazement at the sight before us.
The walls were made of bare rock, cold and solid. Several claw marks scarred them along with the floor. It smelled of damp grass and pine. As wild as everything looked, there were tables and desks lined all along the perimeter of the room. The room itself was about 10ft high and 40ft across and forward. The tables were covered in maps and papers and as we walked deeper into the room, I occasionally saw papers pinned up onto the rock.
I tried to take all of this in without freaking out. I breathed in deeply. So…Stella and Scott are magically half wolf, lied to us, and live in a giant cave that is located behind a secret moving book case… What's not to get?
Mo and I jogged to catch up with Scott and Mr. Yamada.. At the end of the room, along the back wall was a cleared metal table. "Set her here!" Mr. Yamada told Scott. He obeyed and turned so that he didn't put any pressure on Stella's wounds. He carefully set her onto the table and stepped back to let Stella's dad do his job. Under the top of the table, were a few drawers. He opened one and pulled out a stethoscope and a ophthalmoscope.
There were a few specks of water scattered on the table from Stella's soaked clothes. Mr. Yamada took no notice and he put the stethoscope into his ears. He placed the other end over Stella's heart. I tried to read his expression, wondering if she was okay. I could see the rise and fall of her chest, but it seemed uneven. "Her pulse is strong, but her body is on overload trying to heal all her wounds." Mr. Yamada explained straightening up.
"What exactly does that mean?" I asked quietly. It seems as if Stella's father just noticed Mo and I were there as he heard my question. I noticed the water on the table turning red. Mr. Yamada started grabbing gauze and bandages from the other drawers.
"It means that since she's unconscious, her mind isn't responsive to her body at all. Because she has special blood, the cells are trying to repair the broken tissue as fast as possible." Special blood? What does that mean? He paused and looked at us for a moment. I could tell on the inside he was freaking out for his daughter's health, but he was trying to keep himself composed.
"She can't feel it now, but the cells are slowly draining what's left of her energy trying to fix the injuries." He started wrapping Stella's arm with the gauze trying to stop the bleeding. He looked down sadly. "If she doesn't wake up…then her body won't have any energy left and…she'll die." WHAT? Scott's eyes widened and I heard Mo catch her breath.
"How can we wake her up?" Mo asked hurriedly. Mr. Yamada started dabbing the wound below Stella's rib cage with peroxide, which was probably the worst gash she had. "We can't." Mr. Yamada announced. He stopped suddenly and looked at Scott. "But you can." He stated. Scott backed up and held his hands up defensively.
"No! I can't invade her privacy like that!" He yelled. Oh my God. I'm so freaking lost! Mr. Yamada glared at him. "Would you rather her die?" He asked angrily. Scott clenched his fists, obviously looking conflicted. "You're asking me to intrude on all her secrets and dreams! I don't want her to die but there has to be another way to snap her out of this!" He persuaded.
Mr. Yamada glanced at Stella helplessly. "There's not…" He told us. Scott looked away for a moment. "Fine. If she gets mad at me, I'm telling her it was your idea." He announced. He closed his eyes and I struggled to understand what was going on.
SCOTT'S POV
I dove into my subconscious and focused on one thought: Stella. I fanned out my senses and felt the brush of her mind against mine. Even when she's unconscious there was that constant barrier blocking the connection. I was going to have to break through it. I'm sorry Stella… I slammed my conscious against hers and the invisible wall crumbled instantly. I felt her trying to push me out, to stop me from seeing everything, but she was already too weak to fend me off.
Visions and memories flowed into my mind as I broke through Stella's subconscious. Not my memories, but Stella's. Flashes of childhood came and went in a blur. I wasn't even sure if I saw them. As I drove deeper into her mind, the memories became longer and clearer. I tried to ignore them and brush them aside, but certain ones were to powerful to overcome.
Stella tapping Ray's shoulder. "I have a better idea…" Taking a huge gulp of lemonade, but not swallowing it. Ray turning around as Stella lurched forward. Lemonade soaked Ray's shirt as everyone laughed in amazement. The feeling of satisfaction at humiliating Ray at his own game.
I struggled not to withdraw from the connection I promised never to do to Stella. I pushed forward as I reached out farther into Stella's subconscious. I could feel her pushing back on me, desperately trying to get me out of her head. Wake up Stella! I shouted out with my mind. I winced as a fresh wave of memories flooded me.
The adrenaline rush at playing at Madison Square Garden. Stella's heart lurching every time the CO2 jets would go off. The little surges of anxiety that went off every now and then, but were cured from a heart melting smile from Scott…
I thought I'd seen that wrong for a moment. Did I really give her that look? Stella's conscious took advantage of my confusion and slammed into my mind. It felt as though a rock had been pelted at my head. Stella open your eyes! She continued to push me out, closing off parts of her mind and her barrier rebuilding. Listen to the sound of my voice! WAKE UP!
Her subconscious completely shoved me out and I opened my eyes to find myself on the floor. A major head ache made my head throb horribly. I stood up cautiously to see Stella jerk awake. Thank god! She was gasping for a moment as her eyes adjusted to the dim light of the cave.She sat up quickly, confused and alarmed. She yelped in surprise as soon as her body changed motion and she quickly laid back down, her face scrunched in pain.
I stood up as Mr. Yamada glanced at me with relief. "Stella! Calm down you're fine!" Her father soothed her. Stella's fists were clenching at her sides, but her breathing came sharp and forced. "Mo…Olivia…" She gasped out. As if on cue the two girls rushed over to the table. "We're fine Stells." Mo assured her. "Thanks to you." Olivia added.
Mr. Yamada continued to tend the injury on Stella's stomach as she slowly turned her head towards her friends. "I'm sorry…for lying to you." Stella whispered weakly as I joined Olivia and Mo at the table. Stella's gaze hardened for a moment when she saw me. "Y-You broke into my mind…" She stated angrily. I looked down for a moment. "It was the only way to save you." I explained.
Mr. Yamada covered the gash on Stella's arm and stomach with bandages as he finished. Stella was about to say something when Mr. Yamada intervened. "She needs to rest." He told us. I nodded and gestured Mo and Olivia to follow me. They hesitated, not wanting to leave their friend's side. "Go…he'll explain everything." Stella encouraged quietly. Reluctantly, they obeyed. We walked back through the gap behind the bookcase as Mr. Yamada stayed behind with Stella.
The three of us entered the living room and I motioned for them to sit down. "This is going to take a while so get comfortable." I announced taking a seat on a recliner across from them. The two girls exchanged glances, preparing for the answers to all their confusing questions.