Disclaimer: I am not Kelly Armstrong; therefore, I don't own any of the Books or characters. I would like to, but…sadly no one but Kelly can.


Spov

The lights were out, leaving the whole house in blackness…I didn't like the dark, hadn't since I was a child, but after the accident, after the operation. I didn't remember much about the day of the accident. We were driving, going somewhere. I had Miki and Addie with me. Next thing I knew, there was another car…it had hit us. I'd been trying to protect Miki, and had inadvertently ended up sending myself halfway through the windshield. After that, there was just darkness, this feeling that my body was too heavy, and that if I just let go I'd feel so much better. I don't remember anything until I woke up in the hospital the next day. The doctors explained that while taking some x-rays, they had come across a tumour that was in my brain. They operated…more blackness. I woke up two days later…with a large chunk of brain missing. Now thanks to all the pills they had me on, I was confused, saw things jumping out at me at every turn. Now here in the pitch black, I was more vulnerable than ever. I wasn't sure what to do. I couldn't go bumping about in the dark, I'd hurt myself, or give myself away. I sank down to a sitting position, and let out a small whimper. I didn't like being alone in the dark again. I wasn't supposed to work myself up or do any major brain puzzles, but I couldn't help thinking about everything I'd heard from Chloe earlier today about werewolves and necromancy. I heard a noise, and let out a small shriek. I quieted myself, but then jumped again as I saw shadows in the dark crawling along the wall…


Dpov

I heard a shriek from downstairs. I sat up quickly, thinking it was Chloe, but then realized she was here with me. Then I also clued in to how quiet and dark the house was. There was no electronic hum. Power was out.

"Der?" Chloe murmured sleepily.

"It's all alright, don't worry. There's a bit of a power shortage, but it's alright. You're safe here with me." I told her truthfully.

"M'kay." She pulled herself closer to me and sighed, returning to sleep. I heard Fang getting up. He poked his head into our room.

"Should I go down and get the other girl?" He asked.

"Please," I replied. "I thought I heard her shriek."

"If you say to." He walked away. I sighed. "We're going to be ok," I whispered to Chloe. I had to make sure she was never hurting or scared. That was my job as her mate. I lay back down, and once again began tuning out the wind of the storm outside. Focusing on Chloe's breathing. That calmed me. That and her scent swirling around me. I was content.


Fpov

I walked quietly down the stairs. I didn't want to make too much noise. It was part of the wolf instinct. I heard her, whimpering quietly, mumbling to herself.

"C'mon." I commanded, and the girl shrieked. I rolled my eyes. Was she really this jumpy? "It's just me," I told her.

"Where are you?" She sounded scared. I could make her out perfectly. She was huddled on the floor, looking all around her. Presumably to find where I was.

"I'm going to come over to you." I told her, just so she wouldn't jump when I got beside her. "I'm going to take you upstairs to your room. Just take a nap or something. By the time you wake up, the power should be back on."

"I can't." She moaned.

"Why the hell not?" I demanded angrily. This girl was keeping me from my much-needed sleep, what reason did I have to be kind to her? She didn't mean anything to me.

"I have to…I need..." She seemed frustrated as she clutched at her hair and pulled at it frantically.

"Hey, don't do that." I said, gentling my voice.

"My pills…in my bag." She responded, still tugging at her hair.

Great, her pills, now so much is explained. I thought to myself. The wolf didn't like the fact that she needed them. He thought that we should calm her. Just keep thinking it. It'll never happen. I told him. The last thing I needed to do was get involved with someone who was mentally unstable…hell the last thing I needed was to get involved with anybody at all. Yet I couldn't help but feel the tiniest bit sorry for the girl as I found her bag. I rummaged through it, coming up with a pill bottle. Then I felt a few more brush against my fingers. I brought them all back over to her.

"I can't see the labels. I need a flash light." She told me. I wanted to tear my own hair out. Was there anything that this silly girl could do for herself I wondered.

"Well, where are the flashlights?" I asked, trying to keep the impatience out of my tone. The faster I got her what she needed the faster I would get back to sleep.

"I'm…not exactly sure." She admitted quietly.

"Are you kidding me?" I raged.

"I'm sorry," She whispered. I looked down at her. She looked so…defenceless. She was like a small child who made a mistake, and was apologizing to an angry parent. I felt bad for yelling at her. Especially if she needed all those pills. I wondered why she had to take so many.

"Why don't I just read them and give you the pills?" I suggested.

"I need…" She started, but I was already on my way to the kitchen for a glass of water for her.

Reading out the labels and doses took a few minutes, and having her try to remember exactly which ones she took at which times was like a labour of Hercules.

"What do you need all these pills do anyway? Why do you need them?" I asked after she'd taken all the one's she needed; about seven in all. The wolf in me was worried about that fact, and I wanted to rectify it in any way possible.

"I was in a car accident, and then they had to operate on the brain because of a tumour that was in my brain. They had to take out a large part of my brain in the process….and now…I…"Her eyes glazed over, and she fell forward. I grabbed onto her. Stupid…now you've got to take her up to bed. I thought to myself. My wolf liked this idea; he thought this small defenceless girl belonged to us. I sighed, and carried the girl up the stairs, then along the hallway, to where her scent was the strongest. I came to another stairway that seemed to lead to the attic, or a loft of some sort. At the top, there were three doors, and I kept walking to the one on the right. The door was partway open, and I nudged it open a little more with my foot. Then stood in the doorway.

Steph's room was like her, child-like. There was a large bed covered by a purple comforter, but there were all kinds of stuffed animals. There were costumes hanging on the walls a vanity table was covered in perfume, make-up, and lotions, and jewellery. Pictures cluttered the walls, papers were everywhere, and there were clothes as well. Yet it had a feel of whimsicalness to it. There was a bookshelf and a beanbag chair, and a stereo. The girl was like a doll in my arms, limp and complacent.

"I likey you." She murmured, making me look down at her.

"That's great," I said, moving to lay her down. I tucked her in, pulling the covers up over her, and tucking the toys in around her. Then I moved to leave.

"Stay" I heard a plaintive whine

"Forget it. I'm not staying." I growled.

"Please." I could hear the tears she was trying not to cry. "Just for a while…it's dark!" My wolf wanted to, and I found myself unable to refuse her. Relenting, I laid down beside her, pushing toys out of my way, and she snuggled closer to me.


So, tell me what you think. review... I'm hoping this chapter clears up some things...next one coming soon. :)