"With me," The words tumble out of my mouth before I realize that I've said them. The doctors turn in surprise.
"How long have you been standing there?" the senior doctor demands.
"Only a minute or two," I reply. "You guys are talking about Raven right? If she needs a place to stay, she can stay with me."
"That's not a bad idea," Raven's nurse says.
"Of course it's a bad idea," the senior doctor snaps, pushing his glasses up further on his nose. "We barely know anything about this woman!"
"I used to work at the Sydney's Children's Hospital a few years ago if you want my records they should still have them," I offer. "And I know it would have to be faster than normal, but any protocols that exist, I'm happy to follow.
"Actually," one of the doctors looks thoughtful. She adjusts her purple glasses and brushes her blond bangs from her face. "I think I remember you. I worked there several years ago., it would have been around the time you started. You did an internship to start right? Worked with Dr. Renolds? Always had a side braid, lots of freckles, you were quiet."
I nod, "sounds about right," I agree, blushing slightly.
The doctor turns to her comrades. "I think we should go through with this. We've done fostering directly from the hospital before and its yielded positive results. At the moment we have no other solutions. We'd be fools to pass up the one that's being offered to us on a silver platter. Because its directly through us and no one's claimed the girl, we'd be the ones running the background check and home inspection. If she checks out, perfect."
The nurse nods in agreement. "This woman has been showing up almost every day since Raven came in. I think it would be perfect if this works out. At least she'd be going home with someone she's become familiar with."
Dr. Phillips reluctantly nods. "They're valid points. But its your call Ned."
"The older man sighs and shakes his head. "Fine," he caves. "But this woman had better ace those inspections."
Excitement fills me and I smile broadly. "Thank you. It actually means a lot."
"Come on," Raven's nurse, Sarah according to her name tag, motions for Catherine and I to follow her. "I'll have to get your files transferred, so I'll need your name and old position. Meanwhile, you should go talk to raven about all this. Wouldn't do to spring it on her the day of."
"I'll do that," I agree. I provide her with my information and then hurry down the hall.
"Are you sure about this?" Catherine asks as we walk. "Its going to be a lot on you."
"I'm sure," I state firmly. "I've wanted to help her since I met her. There's something different about Raven. Off. I can't figure out what it is, but she deserves a home none the less."
"Alright, as long as you're up to it. I've got to get to work, but I'll come by later alright? Help you prep for the home inspection."
"Thanks," I say, hugging her. "I appreciate the support."
"Anytime."
Raven's POV
It takes some effort, but I manage to get my legs partially crossed. I rest my arms across my legs, shifting uncomfortably as my arm rubs against the scratchy material of my cast. Even worse is the fact that my leg has started to itch unbearably. I shake my head and allow my eyes to slip closed. Breathing deeply, I relax and murmur my mantra quietly. I feel a flash of triumph as my mind starts to settle and I almost slip into my tranquil zone. I push the emotion away to avoid breaking the effect. Another deep breath and I slip further away from reality. "Azarath Metrion Zinth- ah," I cry out as a shooting pain flares like fire in my mind, shattering my medative dreamscape. I quiver as I hold my head in my hands, expecting my magic to shatter something or send objects flying, but nothing happens. Slowly the pain fades and I open my eyes, staring at my hands with confusion. I lost control, but my powers didn't flare up like they normally do. its like they're gone. I frown.
No, not gone, locked away. Something happened during that fight to put me out of touch with my magic. The realization brings worry. Whatever has messed with my powers has clearly halted my ability to meditate as well. I just hope that it doesn't cause me to lose complete control when they finally do resurface. Without my meditation, my powers grow unstable. Even if I'm out of touch with them, they can still cause a lot of damage if the become unbalanced.
I straighten my spine and close my eyes, relaxing once more. I have to get back in tune with my mind before something bad happens. "Azara-"
A knock at the door breaks my concentration. I sigh irritably and open my eyes. Marie stands in the doorway, her blond hair fraying out of the bun it's tied up in. "Hey," she greets, moving into the room. "I'm not disturbing you am i?"
Yes. "No it's okay," I lie. She sits on the edge of the bed, frowning at my cast.
"Are you sure that's not going to hurt your leg? You're not really supposed to bend like that."
"Its fine," I reply. "The position helps me concentrate," the words slip out.
"Concentrate?" Marie asks.
I sigh. "Yes. I meditate. A lot. The position helps."
"Oh. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disrupt you, but I have to talk to you about something."
"What?"
"Well, the doctors say you've been healing really well and that you can be discharged soon. But it will be a while before those casts come off and you're going to need some support after you leave."
Great, just wonderful.
"But the hospital is at a loss with what to do with you," Marie shrugs. "Since you haven't given them an address or even a last name, and no one's come looking for you, they assumed you're on your own. which, I'm guessing is true. They were debating foster care or a girls home-"
"No," I state firmly, my voice hardening.
"Relax, it's not an option anyways, there's no opening at the moment. But you can't stay here and they aren't going to cast you out on the street either; you need a guardian," she pauses. "So I was wondering how you'd feel about coming home with Megan and me for a while." I tense, shocked. "It doesn't have to be forever, just while you heal. If you find someplace else or actually do have parents that come for you, great. If not… once you're feeling better, if you choose to take off in the middle of the night… there's no one stopping you."
I wet my lips. "Why are you doing all of this? You only met me a couple of days ago. Besides, I'm not exactly what you'd call normal. I'm different, and not in a good way."
"Everyone's got a past, Raven. A few skeletons in their closet, but you shouldn't let that decide your future. Frankly I don't care what shadows lie in your past, because they're in the past. If it's still a pressing issue, we'll deal with it, but I like the girl I've met over the last few days. If you don't want to come with me, that's fine, I'll except that. But don't refuse because you think you'll be shunned. Everyone deserves a chance at a proper family. And I'm offering you ours if you want to be a part of it. even if you only want it temporarily."
I meet her gaze and I'm shocked. Normally I can tell if someone is lying, but everything she's said is true… to her at least. Maybe it isn't a bad idea. Its not like I can get myself home right now, not with the state my magic's in. I take a deep breath. "Okay," I agree.
I have no words. 2 years… I know I'm a bit of a procrastinator and my update intervals can be lengthy but I never wanted to go this long. I'm sorry to anyone who may still actually be bothering to read this. I'm striving for improvement, and I hope this chapter is okay. If anyone has any ideas or anything that they'd like to have incorporated in this, feel free to share them and I'll try my best to include them. and please don't hate me too much okay?