Next chapter! We'll get to see some of what's been going on with Keelie in this, and the next couple chapters. Enjoy everyone!
Keelie ran and ran. Her heart pounded in her ears. Soft sobs escaped her lips as she clutched the blanket around her body. She stumbled through the sand. Blood ran down the side of her face.
She was so glad she'd been able to escape from the village. The male who'd killed Kylo was a tyrant. All she was to him was someone to have his pups. But she'd escaped to protect the pups growing in her belly.
Her hand rested on her stomach as she reached the edge of the desert. Wide eyed, she stared at the city she'd found. She never knew such places existed. Tall buildings stretched up to the sky.
Keelie shook her head, first things first, she had to find shelter.
Gadget and Gaia were returning home from the grocery store when they saw someone stumbling through the square. "Let's see what's going on," Gaia said while grabbing Gadget's arm.
As they got closer, they could tell it was a female jackal. A crowd gathered around her as she stumbled to the ground.
Gaia gasped when she saw who it was. "Keelie!" She shouted while shoving the other Mobians out of the way.
Keelie looked up at her groggily. She was feeling lightheaded from loss of blood.
"Gadget!" The wolf shouted, "get over here and help!" She quickly ripped some fabric off the hem of her shirt and pressed it against the wound on the side of Keelie's face.
The poor jackal girl's ear was torn, and a good chunk of it was missing. It was an old wound, as it had healed already. Not very well though. Keelie sniffled and clutched the blanket closer around her body.
"Here Gaia," Gadget said, "take the bags. I'll carry Keelie." He bent down and scooped her up bridal style. "Let's go."
The female jackal rested her head on Gadget's chest. She cried softly as they walked back to the wolves' apartment.
Gaia quickly pulled some clothes out of her dresser as Gadget set her in the bed. "You'd better leave," she told him, "I need to get her cleaned up and dressed." Gadget nodded.
After he was gone Gaia turned to Keelie, "I have a nightgown for you to wear. Wanna take off that blanket?"
She was a little embarrassed, but she shrugged out from under the heavy fabric.
Gaia's eyes widened. Keelie had wounds all up and down her body. Bite and claw marks were on her neck, shoulder, and chest area. Her stomach was showing slightly with her unborn pups.
"Keelie," Gaia breathed as she knelt to clean her up, "what happened to you?"
She just put her head in her hands and sobbed. Gaia put her arm around Keelie's shoulders to comfort her. After she calmed down she told Gaia what happened. About how the male jackal had taken over their village and killed Kylo. How he'd exiled Finn and forced her to be his mate. That he'd locked her in a bedroom, taken her clothes and never let her out. That all she was to him was someone to have his pups.
"We're glad you escaped," said Gaia gently, "and I'm sorry you had to go through that. But Gadget and I will help you." Keelie nodded while wiping her eyes. "Let's get you cleaned up."
Gaia got a cloth and some water. Then she cleaned all of Keelie's wounds. She then picked up a bottle of disinfectant. "This will burn a bit, but it is needed so you won't get an infection."
Keelie nodded as Gaia put some on a clean cloth. She clenched her teeth and closed her eyes while Gaia cleaned her injuries. It hurt.
Gaia mumbled soothing words as she bandaged her up. "Do you need help putting on the nightgown?" She asked. She nodded with embarrassment.
The wolf slid the satin fabric over the jackal's head. Keelie winced a bit and let out a gasp as the fabric touched the claw marks on her back. Gaia felt so bad for her. She'd been through a lot recently.
"Rest now," Gaia soothed while tucking the blankets around her. "I'll go get some food for you. What do you like to eat?" Keelie just shrugged and the wolf smiled sadly. With that she turned and left the room.
"She's pregnant Gadget," Gaia announced as she entered the kitchen.
He pinned his ears back and turned away from the stove. "Where's the father?" A frown rested on the wolf's muzzle.
"Probably still at the village," she replied while opening the refrigerator. Her gold eyes swept over its contents. "She told me he was a rogue jackal that took over their pack."
"What happened to Finn and the others?" Asked Gadget, folding his arms and leaning against the counter.
Gaia sighed and poured some water from the pitcher into a glass, "Keelie said he was exiled. Nia, Jay, and Tempest went with him. But he killed Kylo and kept Keelie as his mate." She pulled a tray out of the bottom cabinet, and a plate from the top. "From what I understand, he was really abusive to her. She's covered in claw and bite marks."
Gadget sighed and scooped some chicken casserole on the plate, "I hope they're ok."
Gaia nodded grimly. "Give her some more, who knows how many pups of his she's carrying. Finn told me most jackals have big litters."
Wordlessly, he put another scoop on the plate, along with a large helping of potatoes and green beans. "Jay said most of the pups are lost though," he added after another pause.
The two fell silent for a moment. "Why don't you take the food to her?" Gaia suggested as she set the water and a glass of juice beside the plate on the tray.
He nodded and headed to the bedroom.
He knocked lightly before entering the room. Keelie was curled up under the blanket against the headboard. Her golden eyes peeked out from under the covers.
"Are you hungry?" Asked Gadget as he closed the door behind him.
The female jackal's eyes widened and fur bristled as he stepped closer to her. A low growl rose from her throat. "You stay away from me."
"I just brought some food for you," he said carefully and quietly.
She backed away from him as he approached, showing her teeth and snarling, "Gaia said she was bringing my food. How do I know you didn't put something in it?"
"I didn't Keelie. I'm trying to help you. And your pups." He set the tray on the end table. "Why would you think that?"
"Because that's what he did to me. So I couldn't fight back." She sniffled a bit.
"I'm not like him," he said quietly, "but if it makes you feel better. I'll have Gaia bring your food." She hesitated, but then nodded. Then he took the tray and left the room.
After a few minutes, Gaia entered the room with some food. "Hey. You ok?" She asked walking to the bed.
Keelie just watched her. Not coming out from under the blankets. She was scared, and Gaia didn't blame her.
The wolf set the food on the table. "It's ok Keelie. You're safe now. Gadget won't hurt you. No one will." She pulled the blankets back a bit, "why don't you eat something?" She flashed a smile, "after all, the pups need to grow strong."
Golden eyes darted around the room. Then the jackal swallowed and slowly nodded. She could trust Gaia. After all, she was friends with Finn.
Keelie crawled out from under the blankets and Gaia set the tray on her lap. Her black nose sniffed at the food. She'd never seen food like this before. But she was so hungry. She took a few bites. It was so good.
Gaia smiled as the jackal enjoyed her meal. After she finished the wolf took the tray. "Get some rest. I'll be back to check on you later." She turned to leave.
Keelie nodded as she snuggled back under the blankets. "Thank you Gaia, this means a lot to me." She looked down at her lap, "and will you tell Gadget I'm sorry?"
Gaia stopped in the doorway. A soft smile rested on her muzzle. "No problem Keelie."