"She should be alright… but there is one problem, she may have forgotten some of the most recent events in her life, say, the last 6 months or so, we don't know if she will ever remember or if she will just have a blind spot in her life. We can but hope. Also, her fine motor skills may have deteriorated. She had a mild case of Hysterical Bleeding in the brain. It's when someone goes into panic and in short their brain nerves can't cope with it so they bleed, it can be life threatening, but we think Maddie here is going to be fine…" The elder said…
Rhydian looked at him in shock not quite understanding what he had just said… Maddie will be alright, but she might not remember him coming to join the pack. All the moments they had had since he had come back; the lake, the fireworks… everything. All gone.
He was still in a daze a minute later when Emma started to ask question…
"What were you saying about fine motor what-sits?" Emma asked
"Fine motor skills… its things like writing or sewing. Small delicate tasks that you use your hands for, she may also be a lot less co-ordinated…" He replied.
"When can we see her?" Rhydian asked. If she really had forgotten him coming back to get her, then the soon he could start reminding her; the better.
"If you want to, you can go and see her now, though we think she will be unconscious for a couple of hours. After that she can go back to her den as long as she has someone looking after her at all times." He replied.
"I want to see her now." Rhydian replied.
The elder motioned for him to come with him. As Rhydian walked across the room to the corner with a young girl in it, surrounded by Elders, Rhydian prepared himself the sight that would soon be in front of him. He could imagine it now. Blood and gore everywhere.
Nothing could prepare him for what he did see though. Although there had not been as much blood as he had been expecting, there was still a fair amount, the thing that really got to him was how small Maddie looked. She had always been the girl who had stood up for herself and never let anyone tell her what to do, and suddenly, standing up for her was defiantly not something that she could do.
Her lying there in front of him he realised how unwell she really was. She might never recover from this, and he would never recover from that…
He slowly sank down next to her and took her hand in his again. Looking lovingly at her as she lay on the cold floor fighting for her life.
He stayed like that. Sitting on the floor for what felt like hour, although it probably was, before Maddie's parents came and got him to move. Dan practically carried him out of the barn and into the den where he left him.
That was the longest night of Rhydian's life. He knew that Maddie should have been awake by now, but, he was too scared to go and check in case she wasn't. He didn't sleep all night and when he got up the next morning, it took him a few seconds to remember what was going on and what was actually happening.
When he remembered, he slowly crawled out of his den and into the middle of the site, eye following him all the way… He knew that he should be trying o show an example to the other members of the pack, but right now he just didn't have it in him.
He was meant to be holding his head up high and pretending that everything going on didn't affect him, and convincing everyone else that everything was going to be fine. But, that was very hard when he couldn't even convince himself.
When he got to the middle of the camp, he went to the stocks and grabbed a small picie of meat, but no matter how hungry he was, he couldn't get him stomach to settle enough to take a single bite.
After looking at the bloody meat for several minutes, he was approached by Dan and Emma Smith, both with sober expressions on their faces.
"She still no awake is she?" Rhydian asked, his voice sinking with every word that left his mouth.
"No… They're not sure what's going on with her, they think that her body has put her in a temporary coma while it's trying to repair itself. They say that some point throughout the week will be the turning point. If she does not wake up after this week, they don't think she will wake up at all." Dan said with a pained look in his eye.
It must be hard, Rhydian thought, losing your only daughter. Only child. He wondered if Dan, like him, had given up almost all hope of her ever coming back.
"Do you think I could see her?" Rhydian asked; if she was going to die, he might as well see her when she had a bit of breath still in her. See her with her heart beating – even if it was very slowly – one last time.
"Of course love. They thought she was stable enough to be moved last night. She is in Jana's old den. It was the biggest and Jana let her take it without an argument, we think she may have learnt her lesson." Emma said comfortingly to Rhydian.
With a quick nod instead of a 'Good Bye' to them, he left the main site to the side bit, where the Alpha's den usually was. It was tradition to keep it away from the main camp. He crawled into the den and soon came out into the wide bit of the den were the wolf would live when the den was inhabited. That's where he saw Maddie.
She was still unconscious, he had been hoping that as he walked in, she would magically wake up and that everything would be totally fine. That there would be no memory lose. Or that he would just be able to kiss her and that she would wake up – just like a fairy tale.
It's a shame that really life isn't a fairy tale.
Throughout that whole day, Rhydian didn't leave the den; instead he sat by Maddie side trying to get her to wake up. But, no matter how much he squeezed her hand of whispered pleas for her to wake up into her ears, nothing seemed to help.
Ceri had come in and tried to convince him to eat something, or sleep – it was obvious to everyone that looked at him that he was sleep deprived. But, no more what she said nothing could get Rhydian to let go of Maddie's hands.
That night, Rhydian didn't move from Maddie's den. The next day, Rhydian didn't move from Maddie's den. The day after that, Rhydian didn't move from Maddie's den. The day after that… Well, I think you get the picture. All the time, Rhydian never ate or slept.
But, no matter what he did, she still didn't wake up. And he knew time was running out.
After this week, the elders were going to take Maddie off the little medication she was on and let her go, saying there was nothing left they could do.
Unfortunately, that week had run out…
"Listen Rhydian, we are really sorry, but there are only so many supplies we can use for one person. Believe me, if we could save her we would. You would want her to suffer would you?" The elder asked.
"She isn't in pain! Look at her; she might as well just be asleep. Anyway, I'm the Alpha; she is my mate! That must count for something! You can't do this." Rhydian shouted; he could let this happen!
"She has been unresponsive for over a week, and I know you are the Alpha, but when it comes to medical advice, you really need to listen to us… I am really sorry, but there is nothing we can do unless we get a response in the next hour."
So, everyone sits around Maddie; Rhydian gripping onto Maddie's hand, the lead elder with an ominous look on his face and Emma and Dan Smith trying to keep as calm as they could. Everyone sat there in silence, not that there was anything to say…
At least not until Rhydian collapsed onto the floor…
He lay there comely out cold – to the naked eye. But, his head was buzzing with someone else's thoughts…
Rhydian! Rhydian! Can you hear me? I really need you to hear me right now… you can't let them do this to me, please! I am here; I just can't get my arms to move or anything. Please! Don't let them kill me!
"Rhydian! Wake up!" Dan shouted whilst shaking him. Rhydian was like a son to him and Dan didn't think that he would be able lose two children in one day, even if one of them wasn't really was.
Rhydian quickly jumped up at a speed which would be impossible for most, let alone a boy that hadn't eaten or slept in almost a week.
"You can't kill her! She is in there! She sent me a message, I heard her! She says she is in there but she just can't move! I swear!" Rhydian shouted, terrified that they wouldn't listen to him.
"If it is just problems with moving and circulation, then there is a cure isn't there… herbs or something?" Emma asked…
"Yes, Thyme. We did always think that the problem was in her brain, circulation might make sense. We could try it." The elder replied.
Emma, the elder and Dan continued to talk about what they thought was going on, but Rhydian wasn't paying any attention, he was having a silent convocation with Maddie about how she was going to be fine now and that they were not going to kill her or anything like that, just wake her up.
After a few minutes Dan, Emma and Rhydian were shooed out of the den so that Maddie could be treated and for that first time in almost a week, Rhydian ate and slept happily because he finally knew that Maddie was going to be okay.
The next morning, Rhydian got a rude awakening when Bryn came bounding into his den before landing right on top of him.
"What do you want Bryn, it's the first time I have slept in ages, go away!" Rhydian shouted
"Fine, I'll go… I just thought you might like to know that Maddie was awake…" Bryn replied a cheeky grin – which he had probably learnt from his older brother – sitting on his face.
"Wait what? Maddie's awake?" Rhydian asked in his sleep deprived state.
"That's what I said isn't it?" Bryn said.
"Oh shut up! Where is she you idiot?" Rhydian questioned, getting annoyed with his younger brothers immaturity.
"The same place you left her last night you bozo! Just go, now!" Bryn said also getting annoyed with his brother.
With that, Rhydian jumped up and ran past his brother, out of the den… where he collided with Dan…
"There you are! We sent Bryn to get you ten minutes ago. Come on she awake! She actually awake!" Dan shouted, sounding like a six year old but not caring because his daughter had just survived.
Without waiting for Rhydian reply, Dan took off and Rhydian followed him at full speed until they reached the den. Once inside, Rhydian froze solid at the sight in front of him. It was true. It was actually true. She was awake and sitting up in front of him.
"Rhydian! When did you get here? This is awesome! It's been like a year!" Maddie shouted almost falling over – which was a hard feet as she was sitting down – with excitement.
"I-I, Well, -I Umm…" Rhydian didn't really know what to say. She didn't remember him coming back at all so what was there to say?
"We are going to explain it all later, after all the tests the elders want her to do. We wanted to wait for you." Emma said softly to Rhydian.
"What am I missing here? And what is wrong with my shoulder. It was fine before I woke up. What happened?" Maddie asked, getting more and more confused by the second.
"Maddie, we will do some tests on you and them we will tell you everything, just try and stay calm here, everything will be fine." Emma said.
"Okay mam." Maddie replied, not sure what was happening, but if she was going to trust anyone through this confusion, it was going to be her mum.
"Right then, let's see… What's your name?"
"Maddie Smith."
"Good… How old are you?"
"I'm 15." Maddie replied. She had forgotten having her 16th birthday just before Rhydian had arrived.
"Okay… How long do you think is has been since you last saw Rhydian or moved away from Stony Bridge?"
"Umm… about a year, maybe 11 months. I don't think it's been quite a year." Maddie replied, seemingly please with her answer.
"Right, that's all. I think she had lost about 4 months of her memory. She must have gone back to the week after her birthday, but before Rhydian arrived, so she will have to be filled in on all of the events since then. I am not sure whether she will get here memories back or not. She might get some of the and not others, she may get them all if she is lucky, but there is also a chance that she won't get any. Just don't give up hope…" The elder said…
"But if she lost memory, how could she send me the messages…? Wouldn't she have forgotten how to do it or something?" Rhydian asked.
"Well, I don't think Maddie lost all her memory until she woke up, she was still her normal self until then. Anyway, I will leave you so you can start to explain what happened." The elder said before leaving. Even though Rhydian was still unhappy with the explanation, he let it slip, wanting to spend time with Maddie, instead of arguing with an elder.
"Mam, what's going on? What does he mean 'lost memory for four months… is that how long Rhydian has been here? Why can't I remember anything?" Maddie asked looking close to tears. Rhydian couldn't stand the look on her face, so quickly went over and sat next to her, pulling her carefully into his side.
"Shh. It's going to be fine. We will explain everything yeah?" Rhydian told her comfortingly.
"Yeah" Maddie replied softly, nuzzling into Rhydian's side. She didn't know why it felt so natural though, before she left, her and Rhydian hadn't been so touchy feely. See wondered what had gone on between her and Rhydian while he had been back. She was sure something had happened, she just didn't know what.
So, they began explaining what had happened. Starting with finding Rhydian in the forest all mushed up, then the attack from the other pack, then everything else that had happened including how Jana and Owen had been acting off. Rhydian was careful not to mention anything about their relationship and gave Dan a look when he tried to bring in up. He wanted to be the one to tell her. On his own.
They got to the bit just before the stake out to save her when it was dinner time. They had only just realised that they had skipped lunch and knowing that it was bad for Maddie's health for her not to eat, Dan and Emma went to get some food for Maddie. And Rhydian, being the gentleman that he is offered to say behind and look after her while Dan and Emma were away.
"Rhydian…" Maddie asked.
"Yeah?"
"What happened to us while you were back? I don't remember any of it, but you are not the same as you used to be. You are really thin; like you haven't eaten for a week and the bags under your eyes… you look terrible. And you are so much more protective that you used to be. I don't understand." She said.
"Well, to be honest, you know that you were out cold for a week. Well, I would eat or sleep that whole time, I stayed here with you…" Rhydian trailed off, embarrassed and worried that Maddie would think he was stupid.
"That's the sweetest thing ever Rhydian… I can't believe you did that for me… But what was the other thing you were doing? I saw the look you gave to my Dad. He was going to bring something up, but you stopped him… what was it?" Maddie asked…
At first Rhydian avoided the topic, but after Maddie gave him a stern look he couldn't help but tell her everything…
So Rhydian launched into the stories of the fireworks and the swimming and how they got together, how they told each other they loved each other and how they could talk to each other through their minds and everything else he could think of that Maddie might need to know.
"So yeah… that's about it really…" Rhydian said nervously, but Maddie still didn't say a word to him, just stared at him.
"Maddie… say something, what's wrong?" Rhydian asked, getting more and more worried by the moment when Maddie said…
"You are the best boyfriend ever. I don't know what I would have ever done without you. I remember now… well, at least the last bit. You came to save me and… You are amazing!" And with that she kissed him… as Maddie described it; it was the most perfect kiss ever!
They were still kissing 30 seconds last when Emma and Dan came back into the den arms filled with food…
"Well, I wasn't expecting that." Dan said with his eye brows raised as the couple pulled apart, guilty looks on their faces, Rhydian's mouth opening and closing as if he was trying to talk and defend himself, but he couldn't find the words to say. Luckily for him, it was Maddie who saved the day…
"I remember! I remember the last bit, you all came and saved me from the old mine! I was awesome and you were all so brave…" Maddie raved, high on the memories that had just flooded into her brain.
"That's great Mads! But eat up now; we want you well as soon as possible, we need to have a trail for Jana and Owen before too long. And the elders said you should not move from here tonight, but tomorrow you should be able to go back to the den" Emma said to Maddie.
"Yeah… I was wondering what I was doing in the Jana's den." Maddie asked.
"It's not Jana's any more. It's Rhydian's" Dan replied, before realising what he had said. They hadn't been planning on telling Maddie that Rhydian was the new Alpha until she was well again in case it was too much of a shock…
"Oh yeah. I remember that too. Rhydian beat Jana in the big fight, just before I passed out…" Maddie said as if it didn't faze her at all.
Dan and Emma gave each other surprised looks before letting Maddie and Rhydian tuck into their food. Glad to be back in each other's company and happy… for now at least.
A.N.
I am sooooo sorry! I know I am a terrible person and all, but I have been really ill for a couple of weeks... First it was a kidney infection and when I finally recovered from that I got the cold from HELL! Which blocked up my ears, so I went to the doctors to find out that I now had an ear and chest infection... I yeah. I have been ill. There may be a few less updates, because I have exams which I am now very behind on revising for because I have been so ill.
I know a few of you asked about Maddie being pregnant... You will have to wait and see.
100 REVIEWS! OVER 100! That is amazing! I love you guys!
I think I am going to make this story really long. I have a basic idea of what is going to happen and in what order so there shouldn't be any writers block to slow me down.
BIG BIG love
Abbie xx