The caves were dark. He was approaching, coming at me faster. I backed up, a wall. There was no escape. His hands were on me. I knew what was coming, it was happening again. Not again. I screamed with all my might.
"Wanda! Wake up it's okay. Calm down." Someone was brushing the hair from my face. It was just a dream. He's not here; he can't hurt me anymore I tried to tell myself. My eyes adjusted to the dim light of the room and I looked up to see Jared standing over me. It was early morning and the sun was just beginning to rise. I realized that Ian was no longer behind me and that I had tears streaming down my cheek. I tried to brush them away quickly before Jared noticed. Too late, he already saw. I sat up and he came to sit on the bed beside me. He pulled me close and I buried my head in his chest while I sobbed. I didn't care that Jared hated me, or used to. I didn't care that he had always been so mean to me. Right now he was here and he was being kind and this body was so unbelievably drawn to him.
"Ian had to leave, so I came to see you. You've been sleeping for a long time." He said softly stroking my hair. I didn't reply. I was too emotional and the tears hadn't yet slowed. "Listen Wanda, I realize I've been a real jerk. You didn't deserve it. I see now that you couldn't even think of hurting anyone else to save your own life. I don't know why you came here or why you seem to be on our side but I want you to know that I'm sorry for how I've treated you and I want you to feel safe around me." He paused. "I want you to know that I'm here to protect you and no one, especially Kyle will hurt you again." I cried harder at his words and his sudden kindness. I wondered what Mel would think of this and suddenly realized I hadn't heard from her since right before I was attacked. I was glad she had missed all the pain and humiliation of the last day and didn't have to endure it with me; although I knew she would see it all through my eyes when she returned. It also made me worry about where she was and why it was taking her so long to come back.
I thought of Jared as my tears slowed and remembered his kind words. "Thank you." Was all I could manage. I didn't know what to say to him. He pulled away and gave a weak smile.
"How are you feeling?" He asked studying my face and my broken body. He never fully let go of me and his hands stayed wrapped loosely around my body. His face was full of pain once again. "I've been better. But I'll live." I replied shyly. I was still extremely soar and my stitches burned. Everywhere seemed to ache and I knew my whole body was bruised. "I'm sorry for all the trouble this is causing everyone." I realized that I had taken up much of Ian, doc and Jared focus for the last 24 hours. I also knew others had probably been to check on me and were worried sick.
"Wanda don't worry about us. This wasn't your fault; there was nothing you could have done. I'm just glad you're alive. Everyone is, trust me."
I nodded and began to wonder where Ian and Doc had gone. "Where did Ian go? And doc too, he left hours ago." I asked casually.
"Don't worry about it, they should be back soon." Jared replied, his face tightening.
"Jared, tell me." I insisted.
"It's nothing you need to be concerned about, you should rest, are you hungry?" He asked trying to change the subject.
"Fine, I'll go find out myself," I answered stubbornly. As I stood up all the pain from last night came into full affect once again. I nearly collapsed at the shock of it and I let out a gasp. Jared caught me before I could fall over and set me back onto my cot.
"You're not going anywhere, you can't even stand." His tone changed from gentle to fierce. "Damn it Kyle, I'm going to rip his head off. You don't deserve this, what have you done to anyone here. Nothing, you work so hard to please everyone and this is what happens." I shuddered at his name and Jared tightened his hold on me. I bean to think about all the missing people, Ian and Doc wouldn't leave my side unless it was important and suddenly I wondered about Kyle's fate.
"They're not going to kill him are they?" I asked Jared. I hoped not, he was human. This was his home not mine; they couldn't kill him.
"Don't know." Jared answered matter-of-factly.
"Jared they can't!"
"They most certainly can. Wanda he committed a terrible act against you and you didn't deserve it. Jeb's pissed and I honestly don't know what's going to happen to him."
I shook my head back in forth trying to fit all the missing pieces together. "Jared tell me where everyone's at, please. Are you just here to make sure I don't go wondering off and find out for myself? Playing bodyguard again are we?" I accused.
"Of course not Wanda, I wanted to make sure you were doing alright."
"So there's no reason I shouldn't be able to stroll around the caves right now?" I asked nonchalantly.
"Wanda let it go."
I made like I was about to get up again, but before I could even lift myself from the mattress Jared's strong arms were holding me down. He seemed to realize I wasn't giving up and let out a loud sigh. "Fine, if I tell you will you stop trying to walk around. Honestly Wanda you'll hurt yourself more. I'm beginning to think you have a sprained ankle or something. How well did Doc examine you?" He accused.
"Oh he did a good job trust me. But he didn't go into detail on my injuries; I didn't really want to know. I might but that's not the point…where's everyone at."
Jared frowned. "They're having a tribunal Wanda, to decide Kyle's fate. We figured you wouldn't ever want to see his face again plus the fact that you can barley move. So I volunteered to stay behind with you after insuring Ian could make all my points. Don't get me wrong I wanted to come see you too." He smiled slightly.
"What's a tribunal?" I asked confused.
"Kind of like a court hearing, we're the jury. Jeb's the judge…in the end whatever he wants goes. Any one can put in their two cents and today Kyle's fate looks grim." He answered honestly. I didn't want to argue with Jared further about what I wanted for Kyle so I nodded and let it slide.
I slid back out of Jared's grasp and put my head on my knees in thought. We sat for a minute in silence and then Jared cleared his throat like he wanted to say something. I looked up and he looked like he was struggling for words. Something Jared almost never did.
This is the part where Jared asks Wanda if Mel's in there with her. I loved the way Stephenie Meyer did it in the book, so I want to keep it basically the same. I'm not going to re-write this section. If you don't remember Jared is very kind in asking of Mel's in there with Wanda, because Jeb and Jamie seem to think so. She answers honestly and says yes. He apologizes for everything and seems to believe her that Mel is there.
"Can you tell Mel I'm sorry?" He continued sympathetically. I tried to find her again but she was so far away. Only faintly present.
"I think she's worn out. She's kind of hibernating on me at the moment. Which is probably for the best. She missed the whole—well she's been gone since Kyle started attacking me." I told him hoping this would reassure him in some way. His face lightened a bit.
"So she didn't experience the…well what Kyle did to you?" He asked to reassure himself.
"No. Although when she comes back which will probably be once I heal a bit and am not so emotionally, mentally and physically exhausted…she'll remember everything that has happened to me. Although it won't be as vivid as when it was happening to me. More like a weak memory. I tried to assure him.
He nodded, studying my face. He seemed to me thinking about his Melanie. We both turned to the sound of footsteps coming from the south tunnel. We assumed it was Ian or Doc and I heard Jared ask, "What's the verdict?" before the person entered.
We were both shocked to see Jamie standing in the entrance, a look of hesitation on his face.
*I honeslty don't know how much longer this story will be. Prly not that much longer, I think i'm almost done then i think of another idea. It never wants to stop, and i enjoy writing it so much lol. So idk. Review and tell me wat u think pretty please i really enjoy the review they make me happy :D*