Hurt

Days went by before winter was able to move. The poison combined with a change into human while still awake, which paralyzed winter for days on end. May treated her with many different herbs that Galena was supplying her. May had long black hair, and beautiful hazelnut eyes. She has soft features, reminding Winter very much of Kyra. Winter's paralysis kept her jaw from moving, she sat listening to May's beautiful voice tell her how pretty she was. During which Winter wondered why Shadow wasn't tormenting her with her weakness so obvious. But she barely ever had time to think about it, for she went in and out of consciousness throughout the day. She still heard May's voice, however, even when she wasn't truly conscious. But the day did finally come when Winter was finally able to move her human legs, which were bandaged to help the would heal. It was one of the few times May wasn't in watching after her, Winter thought as she stretched her legs, which wasn't very often. Winter tried not to scream when she flexed her back. Apparently her body didn't want to co-operate. She reached up and felt her hair, her fiery red hair, feeling as if she hadn't had it in an eternity. She slowly pushed herself up off her grassy bed and looked in the pool of water dug out for her. Her face was ragged, her eyes looked tired, and her hair, well that was just a mess. Winter leaned down and washed her face, smiling at her reflection now that she looked better. Sounds of clattering fell behind her, and Winter turned to see what all the fuss was about. Winter blinked when she was embraced in May's arms.

"You're awake! Oh, My Lord, thank you!"

Winter weakly returned the embrace, "Er-your suffocating me."

"Oh, sorry." May released Winter and smiled at her. "I don't think we officially met,"

Winter whispered, for that was all she could do right now, "I'm Winter."

"May." Winter smiled, "Well, have you met your family?"

"Of course! I've been here long enough."

Winter smiled, "Of course."

"I'll lead you out there," May said, taking Winter and aiding her walking. Winter entered the large cave entrance, surprising everyone in the room.

Jake was the first to speak, "Winter! You're okay! Thank God you're okay!" he ran to her and attempted to hug her.

"Jake!" hissed May, "She's still recovering!" and with that she pushed him away. Galena nodded with satisfaction that Winter was awake. Katrina looked away when

Winter smiled at her, continuing what ever she was doing. Winter ignored the gesture, and turned to May, "Thanks, I could have died there."

"Well, no. The poison was meant to immobilize you for nearly a month. Luckily your scales where hard enough so the poison didn't act right away, or else I doubt you would be here."

Galena cleared his throat, "I think I could have saved her."

"Of course Galena," Winter said, attempting a laugh, but not succeeding.

"Really, Winter, take it easy."

"I'm fine, really. What happened while I was out?" Everyone exchanged glances.

"Nothing." Galena said, distorting his face into a smile.

"Nothing? I find that hard to believe."

"Oh, why don't you just tell her?! I'm sure a demon already knows!"

"That's it!" Winter growled, throwing May off her and advancing towards the mother.

"Winter," Galena warned.

"Jake, don't!" May cried. But Winter already knew, she turned, took the rock from Jake, and pushed him away. Winter held the rock up, about to smash his head, but hesitated.

"Winter?" Jake asked as he saw red in her eyes. "It's Shadow!" May screamed, distracting Winter.

"Oh, my dear May." Winter said a bloodthirsty smirk on her lips, "Why'd you leave me?" Galena had enough, he whipped his tail around, but Winter knew. She leaped onto his back, digging her nails into his wings. Galena cried out, his wings were torn. He reached up to take her, but Winter leaped away, and, with her power and Shadow's, pushed him off the cliff. May screamed again, and Winter turned to her. Jake was in front of his sister, holding a knife shakily.

"Winter," Jake warned.

"Don't you think I know enough of Winter to know you wouldn't kill her?" Winter's voice said, accompanied with Shadow's voice. Galena roared from below, he was fighting the werewolves that had surrounded the cliff side.

"Jake!" he called, "She's still Winter, remember what she said? She said she would never hurt you or your family."

"Yes, but she's not Winter anymore, she's my slave." Winter advanced towards Jake, smiling a bloodthirsty smile, the red in her eyes growing larger.

"May," Jake said, "You'll need to knock her out."

"Hm? Don't you think I can hear you fool?"

Jake shuddered, "Get something that she would recognize, something that would bring her back."

"I've only just met her!"

"GO!" But May was cut off; Winter had jumped in her way.

"Where are you going, my princess? Not trying to run are-"

Shadow's voice cut off, and Winter only spoke, "Your mother! She must stop calling me such things, she brings the anger that Shadow can control!"

"But how can I bring you back?" May asked.

"You can't," Shadow's voice answered. May backed away, but she could see the pleading in Winter's eyes.

"Come hear, my princess, let me give you something to remember me by." Winter pointed to her mark on her right arm.

Winter gained control again, "PRAY!! All of you!"

Winter doubled in on herself, holding her stomach, and Shadow spoke, "Now, why would you say such things, Winter? Do you not like my presence?" Winter chuckled, laughing at her own agony.

"Dear-" May began, but Winter's hand reached up and gripped her neck.

"Winter?" May gasped, fear in her eyes.

Winter's eyes returned the fear, and tears filled her eyes, "I'm not doing this, remember," Winter said before doubling in on herself again. Shadow's laughter floated in the room and Winter leaped forward at May, but Winter adverted her hand away, loud cracks coming from her hand as she hit it against a large stone.

"Fool! Do you not remember that I feel no pain? You're only hurting yourself!"

"I keeping others safe-"

"Quiet!" Winters own hand reached for the knife on the floor, and held it up to her neck.

"You wouldn't want to get hurt would you?"

"You wouldn't." Winter then threw the knife away, Shadow throwing Winter into a wall in his anger.

Monster rang in Winter's head.

Monster.

"Hurry," gasped Winter.

"Dear Lord," May, Jake, and Galena, who just flew up, prayed, "Take Shadow away from Winter. Amen." Winter heard herself curse in Shadow's voice. It was if she was watching an entirely different person, some crazed person beating herself up. Winter jumped up, the true Winter so tired from the beatings, she couldn't fight him any more. Her eyes were almost all red.

"Winter, your not you."

Shadow laughed, "I'm sorry, who are you speaking to, May?" Winter walked toward May, the mother too scared to do anything, Galena too hurt to fight Winter. Jake, however, jumped in front of Winter, still holding a knife. Winter's hand went out and ran over Jake's cheek.

"Everything she loves, taken from her." But Jake could see Winter's eyes angry, the blue coming back.

Shadow didn't seem to care, "Jake, you will die. Like everything else dear to Winter." Winter hit Jake's hand, stealing the knife from him, and held it to his neck.

"Oh, Jake," Shadow's voice mocked, "Oh, how I could never hurt you." Shadow chuckled and lifted the knife the bring it down quick, but God had entered Winter, and Shadow yelled dangerously, then left. Winter helped Jake up, throwing away the knife.

"Keep My daughter safe, son," Winter said, combined with a Holy Voice, "She will never hurt you, but do not betray her trust." And then the Voice left, leaving Winter to collapse to the stone floor.