Chapter 13:
Marsha wakes up to her vibration alarm clock and rubs her head. She looks down at the destroyed pillow. "I guess I had that dream again." This dream is more of a flashback to what happened to her two years ago.
Flashback… Marsha relives what happened.
"I had been out on the town with a few of my friends, and later that night, somehow found myself staggering down the street all by myself, not a friend in site. I know I was underage for drinking, but I thought my group of friends would keep me safe." Marsha snorts, "They never were my friends, just drinking acquaintances. I realized they were only my friends as long as I paid for the drinks. But here I was, staggering down the street. Not sure where I was going, but in my foggy mind, I knew I just had to get there. I was accosted by four thugs who jumped out of the alley and dragged me in.
I fought to the best of my abilities, but I was drunk. I think I managed to stab two of them with my antlers, but I was never sure. I then felt a searing pain in the side of my head. I found out later that it was an ice pick. The one who wielded it was a pro. But because I had antlers, my brain was built a bit differently. He was going for the kill but went through my temporal lobe and into my motor cortex. When I stopped moving, they robbed me. But the one with the ice pick witnessed my eyes still move. "Hey, boys, I think she's still alive." He felt for a pulse and found one. "Is she still alive"? "Yeah, she is. she has a pulse." "Well, looks like we are going to have a fun time tonight, boys."
"They dragged me further into the alley and threw me up on a small stack of pallets. They cut my clothes off. I pleaded with my eyes not to do this, but they covered my eyes with my shirt so they wouldn't have to look at them." Marsha shudders as she remembers what happened next. "They massaged my teats and breasts as they raped me. The pain was indescribable. There wasn't much light to see, but I remembered their species from fighting them. The smallest wolf went first. I cried the whole time. They went up in size as they raped me. I was torn up inside by the biggest wolf. I couldn't move, but I felt everything. I cried as they did so. I wondered how I had let myself get into this position. I blamed myself and still do." Marsha shudders with this terror as she relives the whole ordeal.
"As the sun came up, they finished the abuse. The smallest wolf uncovered my eyes and smiled down at me as he ran the ice pick along my cheek and then stabbed me in the head on the other side from the first strike. I think he got off a second time seeing the fear in my eyes. I passed out from the pain. When I came too, I was still lying on the pallets and couldn't move. I lay there that whole time, crying and blaming myself for what happened. I might have slept for a bit, and when I did, I felt comfort and love and a paw holding mine. I dreamed about a beautiful meadow and how I would like to go there. I was told It was thirty-six hours later when I was found. The garbage truck came into the ally on his regular run to empty the bins. He lifted the bin that hid me, and the scat hit the fan. The driver called in a DB. The cops showed up and cordoned off the area. Forensics shows up at the crime scene to do their thing. No one thought I was still alive, so I started crying again.
One of the forensic team members sees what he thinks are tears and moves to my head. I then turn my eyes and look at him. "Holy scat, Call an ambulance. She's still alive." Flashes go off from multiple cameras as they rush to record everything. The ambulance arrives and whisks me off to emerg. They do a rape kit on me and find lots of DNA evidence in me. Most of it had been corrupted or degraded, but they got DNA from four individuals. I later learned that this was the MO of a group of thugs. With my help, once I woke up, all four were arrested and charged with attempted murder in the first degree. Three blamed the smallest wolf, but all four were convicted of the crime. The smallest wolf went down for six other icepick murders, as it couldn't be proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that the other three were there. It didn't matter, however. They all received life sentences with no chance of parole.
Shortly after finding me, they put me in a medically induced coma. It was close to one month later when they let me wake up. They had repaired what they could of the vagina damage, but I was told it was too severe, and I may never have kits. When I woke up, I was unable to move or hear. They told me I should be able to move and hear soon. My therapy started that same day. I had to learn how to walk and run again. Initially, I had to relearn simple things, like holding my head up. But learn I did. My motor skills returned, but my hearing never did. We wrote everything on scratch pads for communication. I learned to sign for everything because I was now deaf. It took me no time at all to learn sign language. I am a quick learner.
When I left the hospital, social service helped me, but it was barely enough. I couldn't handle the crowds at the orphanage, so they fed me, housed me in a dinky room at a rooming house, and even gave me a job when I turned eighteen. The landlord, a kindly old female sloth, looked out for me. I wasn't the first deaf person she had housed, and she told me many times how I reminded her of her granddaughter, who visited her infrequently. I think I took her place in her mind. We had many conversations. Her sign language was faster than her spoken word. She helped me learn to read lips. Her signing was still slow, and she mouthed the words at the same time.
PRESENT DAY…
Marsha hugs herself and cries as she remembers all that happened to her and wonders why her brother Garth ran off at eight. Her first memory was of her mother crying as she placed them both in the baby box at the orphanage. "I'm sorry, my babies, I can't protect you anymore. Your father found out about you and is actively looking for you to take you away from me, and I can't allow him to do that. Look after each other, Garth and Marsha, and know I love you. And where ever you go, I will be with you always."
She cried as she closed the box on us and rang the bell. Then she ran away. I never saw my mother as we were newborns, only a few days old, and our eyes hadn't opened yet. "Why had this come up? Marsha thinks." Some nights she remembered the past, but some nights she remembered a grey bunny with stripes and antlers like hers. I would love to meet him. He was so handsome. But he was just a dream. I swoon at the dream of that buck and then think I have to work today. I jump up and head for the shower when I remember it's my day off. I then relax and have a long leisurely shower.
My job was nothing special; I was a file clerk. I was good at my job because I wasn't distracted by noise. And it wasn't quiet in the main Social Service office. Some of my colleagues could also sign, so I didn't feel that lonely, and we had many delightful conversations. But today was special. I was heading for the "crystal room" at the art gallery. This was the last day it would be in town, and I wanted to see the great crystals of the world.
I jump out of the shower excitedly, dry myself with a towel, and brush out my fur. I get dressed and, putting on a little makeup, head out the door for the replicator café. I grab a banana pancake wrap, then walk down the street eating it. My eyes constantly scan left and right, looking for danger. My ears don't move around like a regular bunny. They stay straight up and point forward.
I board the bus and sit in the back. None could surprise me from behind if I were at the back. I get off at the subway platform. I'm very leery of the trains as anything could happen. I sit in the corner by the door between cars. This is the safest place for me to be. My back is to the wall. I watch the announcement board waiting for my stop. I am the last one to leave, and the train doors nearly close on my tail. My tail is bigger and longer than an ordinary rabbit's. I then walk to the art gallery and get in line. I constantly scan the crowd for any threats to me. I have been taught by a street antelope how to defend myself with my antlers, and if I had this training earlier, things might have been different in the alley. I shudder as it flips across my mind and push it to the back, but I soon put a smile on my face and continue to look around.
The line moves pretty fast. This exhibit must be popular. Soon I'm handing in my ticket at the kiosk. The ticket taker directs me where to go, and I thank her. I may not hear, but I can still speak. Though I've been told my speech lacks inflections and is very monotone. I walk down the corridor to hall "B."
When I enter the hall, I'm blown away. The prismatic effect of the lights shining on crystals has the whole room awash with colors. Some crystals turn in the lights, and colors dance across the room. I can tell the big ones hanging from the ceiling are fakes. How I know this, I don't know. I walk around the room, staring in wonder. I had forgotten to be vigilant and was bumped into more than once. Attendants were walking around, offering information on some of the crystals. This room was so fascinating. But one particular orange crystal had caught my eye. I walked over to that case to get a better look at it. It seemed to call to me.
As I laid my paw on the case, a strange thing happened the crystal started to glow. Then it levitated to the glass under my paw. I just stood there, frozen in place. I was like that for over five minutes before an attendant got my attention from the side. The spell was broken when I looked at her. The crystal then fell back into its velvet holder. This did not escape the attendant's notice.
"Good morning, ma'am, I'm Leah, you are"? Masha stares at her and eventually comes back to herself. "I'm Marsha." "So, I see that you are fascinated by that orange crystal. Would you like to know more about it"? "IF you could, please? I feel drawn to it." Leah smiles at me. "It was found in the farming fields of Agora. While plowing his field, a farmer came across this and about twenty others. This was very unusual as most crystals are found in rock fields. But they were all in a group in his field. He sold them all to a couple of tourists, who have loaned them to us. Sorry, it's not a glamorous story, but it is what it is."
"May…may I hold it"? "You may, but not here. If you want to hold it, you must come to Wilde Industries tomorrow at nine." My face fell. I have to work tomorrow. I stared at the floor as Leah tried to get my attention. I looked up at her, and she was signing. "Are you deaf by chance"? "Well, not by chance. It happened in an attack on me." Leah's paws fly to her mouth, and then she holds out her arms in a hug gesture. I fell into her arms and started to cry. What has happened to me? I'm an emotional idiot. But I stayed in her arms, and she held me close. Eventually, I moved away and wiped my tears. I dropped my arms and stood like a statue staring at the floor. Leah manages to get my attention again.
"Marsha, I don't know what happened to you. But if this is about your job, tell me where you work, and we will have a temp person fill in for you tomorrow." I look at her with hope in my eyes. "I work down at Social Services in the file room. I'm a file clerk." "Well, that's an easy fix. We will have a temp worker there at eight." "Why Wilde Industries"? "I thought you knew Wilde Industries sponsored this traveling show. This show has been to twenty different countries showing off these crystals. Few seem to be drawn to the crystals as you have been. The show will take a little rest before moving into the interior." "Drawn"? "Sorry, I can't say more now. All will be explained to you tomorrow." "And I can hold it"? "Hold it, cuddle it, even lick it if you desire. You wouldn't be the first to taste a crystal." I look away in embarrassment, as I had thought of doing just that. "So, you will be there tomorrow"? I think of the dead-end job I was now in, and if Wilde Industries could use me, I would be a fool to turn up the chance at a better job. "I will be there tomorrow." Leah smiles at me as she passes me an orange card. "Show this card to security between eight-thirty and nine at the main gate. They will direct you to the right place." I thank her as I exit the room. None of the other crystals held any appeal for me. But they were beautiful to look at.
Leah gets on the phone after Marsha is gone, "We have another one, sir. The crystal levitated to the glass under her paw. The reaction of the crystal was off the chart. It was one of the orange ones, sir. Her name is Marsha. You won't believe me, but she is a hybrid. She's a rabbit with antlers. I know, right? She must have one hell of a back story. We may have to go easy on this one. She is a victim of abuse as well. Right, I would like to be there when she comes in. Yes, I can't wait to see what her crystal can do." Leah hangs up her phone and goes back to watching people as they move through.
I wake up in the morning smiling at the dream of my handsome buck. That grey fur with horizontal black stripes running through it made my heart flutter. "What? When did he become mine"? I felt a little matting down in my nether region when I realize I'm wet down there. I was shocked. This was the first time since the rape that I have thought of a male in that way. But then the memory of the pain comes and wipes away the smile. I feel dirty, and I want to hide under the covers. I cry, thinking that any form of intimacy could never happen. Who would want me? I am damaged goods. I wrestle with my demons; eventually, I tamp them down and put them in their place. I crawl out of bed. The emotional fight, as always, takes a lot out of me. I stumble my way to the shower. In the shower, I envision the pain and emotions leaving me and being washed down the drain with the water. This visualization works somewhat to put me on an even keel. Once I'm balanced, I get out of the shower and dry off. I get dressed and forget about the makeup this morning. Who would want a wreck like me? I exit my building and get a blueberry pancake warp to go. As I'm early, I walk to Wilde Industries. It's only about twenty blocks away.
Alex wakes up, yawns, and sits up, scratching himself. "Hope I'm not getting fleas." He thinks. It was commonplace to have fleas and ticks in Happy Town. And he had picked up a few foraging. He goes to his shower and proceeds to shampoo and delouses himself. The delouse was probably not needed, but it just felt so good not having those parasites feeding on him. He watches the water flow, but no black dots appear in it. He sighs with relief. Once out of the shower and blower, he gets dressed. He gets his meal from the replicator downstairs. The only time he tried to cook, the water burnt. Alice comes in and twines herself around Alex. He had gotten used to her behavior. Once told he has a mate, Alice just let him go with a sigh. She goes to get a meal and comes back to eat and chat with Alex.
Alex is running late after the exercise routine. The shower system was broken, and he had to wait for a shower. If the excess oil were left in his fur, it would attract dirt and make him itch all day. He was sprinting across the central courtyard when he saw her. A brown rabbit with one white ear. Because he wasn't looking where he was going, he slammed into a tiger going the other way, and they both went down. Alex apologized profusely to the tiger and tried to brush him off as they got up. The tiger harrumphed, waved Alex away, and went about his day. Alex dusted himself off and looked all around for her. He spotted her walking the blue line. And ran full bore for her. He dodged people as he weaved in and out. He was shouting out for her to stop. He caught up to her as they both were in the clear. He laid his right paw on her left shoulder.
Marsha arrived at the main gate to Wilde Industries at about eight forty. When shown the orange card, the guard smiled at her and handed her a visitor's pass after she signed the book. He explains to her to follow the blue line to M.R. Marsha thanked him and headed out the door indicated. Marsha was very nervous, and her anxiety was high. When the paw landed on her left shoulder, her fears drowned her. It was the attack all over again. She dropped her ears, and her antlers became prominent in Alex's sight. Marsha, as she had been taught, turned and lowered her head and stabbed forward. Alex was impaled on both of her horns. Alex grabbed her head and held her in place. Alex knew that if he let her go, he would bleed out before help could get to him. They both fall to their knees. In his mind, there was a blinding light as they both froze. Several people around them noticed her horns in Alex and the blood running down his chest. They then called in a medical emergency.
Marsha looked into a life not unlike her own. Alex saw a life that was very hard. The attack that Marsha endured, he witnessed it as well. The pain she went through was almost more than he could bear. They saw hopes and dreams that they both shared. Marsha saw the attacks on Alex that he endured from the gangs of Happytown and all the foraging he had to do to stay alive. Alex saw her life at the orphanage. And the pain at the loss of her brother. In his mind, he cried for her at never having known her mother. Marsha saw the love Alex had for his mother. She cried internally, having never known that kind of love between a mother and child. Alex saw Marsha's love for her brother. And wished he could have had a sibling. The transfer lasted for a little while.
Marsha became aware of a voice in her head. "You are beautiful, Marsha." She tried to speak back. "And you are handsome, my buck." Alex laughs, "Just my luck to meet the girl of my dreams, and she stabs me." "I'm Sorry, so sorry." "It's ok. I should have known better than to put a paw on a female I didn't know. You were defending yourself. I don't blame you. But I think it's time for me to go. Farewell, I hope we will meet again." With that, Alex fades out and is gone from her mind. Marsha lets out a soul-wrenching scream as she faints away.
Marsha comes too and looks around. She's in some hospital. She realizes she is strapped to the bed and remembers what she did to Alex. She screams out, "I'm a murderer." And fights her bonds. Jessica comes in and, seeing as nothing will get through to her, sedates her once again. Marsha wakes up a second time and can feel a paw holding hers. Marsha looks, and this beautiful silver fox is holding her paw. Marsha bursts out in tears again. Jessica releases her paw and dries her tears, then starts to sign to her.
"Hello, Marsha, I'm Doctor Lasiter, and you are my latest patient. Just think of your response to me. I will be able to read you." Marsha thinks to her, "What do you mean read me"? Jessica signs, "I can read your emotions, and sometimes they speak louder than words." "So, when are the cops coming for me? This is why I'm strapped to the bed, isn't it? I mean, I've killed someone." Marsha starts to cry. Jessica dries her tears once again. "Yes, Alex did die at your paws…But he's not dead. My husband and I got to him in time. As for the restraints, I have found that rabbits, when woken from medication, will bolt up and try to run and hide. I don't want this to happen to you. No law has been involved. Alex realized his mistake as he did it. He realized you were defending yourself." "He's not dead"? "No, he's quite alive at the moment.
But it's you I'm worried about. Your mind is barely hanging on to sanity at the moment. You can't run and hide from what happened to you. It would be best if you dealt with it. It's eating you up from the inside." "How am I supposed to deal with it? The shrinks they sent me to were no help at all." "Would it help you to talk to another rape survivor"? "Is that you"? "No, Marsha, it's my husband. Five individuals raped him over a five-hour time frame. To make me see the fallacies of our ways, I was made to watch as they did that to him. It was going to be my turn the next day, but intervention happened, and I was spared. My husband and I have a bond, and I felt everything that happened to him. Alex and yourself have the same bond as my mate and I. the only difference is that Alex died. The bond was severed upon death but may be re-established when you meet him again for the second time. We can help you if you would let us." Marsha breaks down crying. But Jessica can see her consent. After a few minutes of holding her paw, Thomas walks in.
Marsha gets fearful as she sees a tod walk in. She was tied down, and he could do anything he wanted with her. Thomas moves slowly around Marsha to take the spare chair and sit beside Jessica. A feeling of peace comes over her. "Hello, Marsha, my name is Thomas lasiter, and the Vixen holding your paw is my mate, Jessica. I think we can help you to help yourself." Peace, love, and comfort come over her as he signs. She thinks, "Can you really help me"? "We can, but it's not an easy journey. Self-examination is never easy, but we can walk you through it. I need to hold your paw if that's all right"? Thomas can feel her agreeing to his touch. He lays his paw over her trembling one as Jessica removes hers. And the therapy begins.
Several hours later and a bucket of tears later, Marsha feels giddy and light-headed. The weight that she had been carrying was finally lifted off her shoulders, and she could breathe again. She held both their paws. She had no fear of Thomas. The fear of males had been with her since the rape. But now she was out from under it. She was still leery, but she wasn't afraid of Thomas anymore. The experience was still with her, but the pain was now a dull ache, not an overpowering piercing one. She now had a modicum of self-worth. She no longer believed it was her fault or that she deserved it.
"Now, Marsha, I meant what I said about you being my latest patient. I want to try to restore your hearing, if I may. I may not be able to, but I would still like to try." Marsha breaks down again and thinks, "Can she do that"? "I can, Marsha. I'm a neurosurgeon. I might be able to repair the damage or, at the very least, give you back a small amount of what you have lost. I wish those fools helping you before had brought me in as a consultant. I may have been able to do more back then when the injury was new. But what's done is done. I looked up your case, and I have seen the MRI scans taken of you, and I believe you had divine help in surviving what should have killed you. And because you survived, I would like to see if I can restore what was lost to you." Marsha cries for a bit but gives a nod of her head yes. Marsha falls asleep as Jessica pets her head and cheek and dries her tears.
"Alex, son, wake up." "Just five more minutes, mom. I'm exhausted." "Come on, Alex, wake up." Maggie shakes his shoulder hard. "All right, I'm up; I'm up." Says Alex with a big yawn. His recent memories return to him, and he tries to bolt up. The pain in his chest has him stopping and lying back down. He turns his head and looks at his mom. She has tears in her eyes. "I'm ok, mom, really, I am." "No, you're not. You were stabbed." "I know, mom. I was there, and it was my fault." "How was this your fault"? "Mom, I laid a paw on the shoulder of a deaf person. She reacted out of fear and panic when she stabbed me. I did this to myself. I wasn't thinking straight because she looked like the rabbit Marc described. And I just had to meet her. It was her mom. It's my mate." "Don't you defend that little hussy! She did it to you out of spite." "No, mom, she did it out of fear. In her mind, she was being assaulted again. When I laid my paw on her, it took her back to the night of her assault." "How can you know that"? "Not sure, but my soul dived into her life as her soul dived into mine. We were meant to be together. I feel incomplete, mom, like I've lost part of my soul."
"You did lose part of your soul to her, Alex, just like she lost part of her soul to you." Said Thomas walking into the room. "Afternoon, Maggie, Alex. How are you feeling"? "Like I have a hole in my heart." "Well, you quite literally did, Alex. You were fortunate that we weren't that far away. We rushed you here, but you died on the way. It was a good idea to hold her head in place. Otherwise, you would have bled out. As Jessica pumped you full of artificial blood, I went to work on you. I managed to get your heart repaired in a few minutes and then restarted it. My repairs held." "That's not what I meant, sir. There's a rabbit-sized hole in my heart." "Not to worry, Alex, I'm sure it will be filled again when you meet her for the second time."
"When can I see her again"? Not for a few days, Alex. You need to get stronger, and my wife needs to see if she can also fix her hearing. Marsha needs therapy for what happened to her. Seeing you now might send her over the edge. And we are trying very hard to help her put her life and mind back together." "I know I have seen into her life, and it wasn't pretty, but I still want to be part of her life." "And you will, Alex. Just be patient, and you will be there for her." "I guess I've waited this long. I can wait a few more days." "That's the spirit. You will be the first to know when she is ready for you."
"My son died"? "He did, Miss Antlerson. His heart stopped just before I got him to the operating room. But after two and a half minutes, I managed to restart it. This is what broke the bond they had started. It is literal in wedding vows "Till death do us part." "They aren't married"! "Mom, if I could be married, she would be the only one for me. I already think of her as my mate and wife." "Damn it, son, why can't you be normal"? Says Maggie as she clutches him. "Chest, mom, chest." Maggie lets him go. Sorry, sorry." Thomas chuckles a bit. Maggie and Alex look up at Thomas. "Sorry, I just know a few other individuals who wish the same thing, to be normal, that is." "Are you sure you're all right"? "I'm sure, mom. Don't you have someplace to be for training"?
"Oh darn, Scott's going to be mad at me for missing training." "It's ok, Miss Antlerson. Scott will understand. He has been informed about what happened. His is waiting in the gravity room for you." "Well, I guess I should get to work then if you're ok, son." "I'll survive, mom. Go, you have commitments too." Maggie kisses his cheek and exits the room. "John will be in shortly with supper for you, Alex. Here's the remote for the TV. Just relax, and I will check in with you in the morning." Thanks, Doc." Alex takes the remote and fires up the TV.
A few minutes later, William walks in with Amber. "Well, there you are. I've missed you today. I now have a few more bulkheads and flooring done. Tomorrow I will start in on the consoles for the command deck. The other crews have most of the coils installed. Tomorrow the wiring crews will start to wire them. Get well soon. We need you." Alex looks at Amber. "We were not properly introduced last time we saw each other. I'm Alex Antlerson."
Alex says to Amber, holding out his paw. "Hi, Alex." Says Amber taking his paw. "I'm Amber Wilde, William's mate. And this little stink-a-muffin is Ember." Amber reached into the carrier for Ember, who had been playing with the nipple in front of her nose . When exposed to the cold air, Ember lets out a mew. "May I hold her"? "Why, of course, just don't be surprised if she screams." Amber gently paws Ember to Alex. Ember rolls her little head and tries to focus on Alex. She sniffs at his fur, and Amber can see her scrunching up her little nose, about ready to scream. Amber quickly takes her daughter from Alex. The scream dies in her throat as her mom's scent hits her nose. Amber stuffs her back into the carrier. "She has the most unique fur coloring I have ever seen." "She does, I've looked online, and I can say she is only one of a pawful of people with this color combination. It is extremely rare. Your strips are more common. Your strips happen in about one in one hundred thousand individuals. Though it happens mostly in hares."
"Well, I've always wondered if I could find my father. If he's still alive, that is." "You don't know your father? That is so sad." "My mother always told me it was a one-night fling. Her heat cycles always hit her hard, and I always ensured she had chill pills. But the night I was conceived, she had run out of pills and asked a stripped hare if he would mind coming home with her. He didn't refuse. Mom always said he was a dream, but I know a dream can't make you pregnant. If it could, half the population would be perpetually pregnant." William and Amber chortle at his joke. After a few more pleasantries, they wish him well and take their leave of him.
John comes in a half hour later with Alex's supper. John helps him up to use the facilities. As John holds him up, Alex can feel a tingling in his chest as the pain fades a bit. Once done, John helps Alex back to bed and checks the bandages. John hands him a pillow and tells him that if he needs to cough, to clutch the pillow tight to his chest. No sooner had John said that than Alex had to cough. He clutched the pillow hard as the pain of the cough rattled his chest. "This is normal after heart surgery," John told him. Alex thanks him as he starts to eat. After a few more bites, Alex flakes out. John picks the broccoli from his paw and lays it on the tray. He smiles down at him and applies a paw on his chest. A glow appears under John's paw for a few seconds. The paw is removed, and Alex breathes a little easier. John smiles again and leaves the room. Later, Maggie looks in on her son. He looks so peaceful that she decides to let him sleep. She heads for her new home and that handsome raccoon from the fourth-floor window. He has a cute daughter, though she is a bit of a flirt.
Marsha wakes up the following day from the dream of Alex. Though she never did see his face. She knew he was the one for her. "How can I be worthy of him"? How can he want me? I'm damaged goods." These thoughts run in a circle in her mind. Just as she works herself into a tizzy, Elisabeth walks in with her kits strapped to her chest and along her belly and a food tray in her paws. Elisabeth set the tray down and turned to Marsha and signs.
"Good morning, Marsha, sleep well"? Marsha signs back. "I did sleep well. Who are you"? "I'm sorry, where are my manners? I'm Elisabeth, your nurse for the day." "How can you work with your kits? Doesn't that pull you down in front"? "They do weigh me down, but I will be dropping them off at the daycare to their grandmother after I leave here." Just then, Johnathon sticks his head out of the carrier to look around. His vision may not be great, but that doesn't stop him from trying. Marsha sees the kit and instantly cries for the kits she can never have. Elisabeth understands why Marsha is crying. She takes her paw and holds it.
Marsha soon cries herself out. She takes her paw from Elisabeth and wipes at her tears. Elisabeth signs again. "Marsha, I know why you are crying, but you're wrong. You can have kits." Marsha stares at her as if she has just pronounced that the world is flat. "The damage to your vagina canal and uterus has been repaired, and kits are possible in the near future. Well, that is if you have a mate." Marsha blushes with thoughts of Alex.
"Are you sure"? Says Marsha with hope in her eyes. "I'm sure. Jessica and Thomas do great work." "They fixed me"? "Well, around here, that means something else. Fixing someone means that you can't get pregnant. Do you want kits someday"? "I do, but if Alex doesn't want me…." Marsha trails off and turns her head. Elisabeth gets her attention again. "Marsha, Alex wants you; he's been waiting his entire life for you. His patience is insurmountable. I'm sure he would wait for you forever if he had to." "He still wants me after what I did to him"? "More now than ever. As I said, he would wait for you forever. Now I'm here to get you prepped for the surgery Jessica wants to perform on you. You can eat your breakfast if you want to."
"Won't my eating interfere with the anesthetic"? Elisabeth stops and signs, "No, we use a different type of anesthetic. This new anesthetic won't upset your stomach when you wake up." Marsha sighs and eats her breakfast. She was starving. This was the first day in a long time that the thought of food didn't turn her stomach. Most of the time, when she ate, it was because she had to, not because she wanted to. The oatmeal explodes across her tastebuds, and she makes very appreciative noises. Elisabeth smiles as she inserts a butterfly needle and holds it to her arm with an elastic armband. She then shaves the two spots on her head where the ice pick entered. Once prepped and breakfast finished, Elisabeth has Marsha lay back down. Marsha falls into a gentle natural sleep. Elizabeth goes to give her kits to Vivian as Marsha sleeps. She then returns to help with the operation.
Elisabeth and Jessica wheel her down to room one-forty-five. Jessica puts on a VR headset while Elisabeth clamps her head in a stand to keep her head steady. She focuses on keeping her asleep. Jessica opens the old wound tracks and inserts the nanoprobes. She first cleans out the old damaged tissue and then works at reconnecting the disconnected areas with flexible carbon fiber replacements. Jessica was being careful not to damage the pathways still connected. Elisabeth lets her know when she has it right. Elisabeth could have done all this by herself, but this procedure was going into the medical journals. This was the first time they tried this procedure with the new machine. It takes a couple of hours, but both feel they have got it right by the end. In the end, both are happy with their work. They then wheel her out of the room and down the hall to recovery.
Marsha wakes up but can still hear nothing. She starts to cry, thinking it didn't work. She feels either side of her head and feels a bandage on both sides. Still crying, she rolls to her side. One of the earplugs falls out, and she hears a beeping noise. It takes her a few to process and then recognize the sound. It's a heart monitor, her heart monitor. She bolts upright, and the other ear plug falls out as well. Through her tears, she sees Jessica and Elisabeth at the foot of the bed, smiling up at her. Marsha cries a little harder as they both get up to hug her. "Well, I can tell from the swivel of your ears that you can hear again. Congrats." Marsha grabs Jessica and thanks her. It's so strange hearing her own voice for the first time in a long time. Elisabeth brings over another machine with headphones attached to it.
"Now, Marsha, we need to do a hearing test to see your range. When we put the headphones on, nod your head when you hear a sound." Marsha nods her head, not trusting her voice at the moment. Elisabeth puts the headphones on her head, and the test begins. Marsha nods through most of the test. She has a normal hearing range for a bunny. All of this gets documented for the paper. She is handed earplugs to use until she gets her mind to tone down sounds so she's not clutching at her head when she hears things. Marsha is exhausted. She lays back down and soon falls asleep. Elisabeth makes her comfortable, then leaves her to her rest.
Marsha wakes up just before supper. She has slept better in the last two days than in the two years previous. Jessica and Thomas come into her room after supper for more therapy. Marsha is a bit apprehensive, but she takes Thomas's paw, and the treatment begins. Later she has a shower trying to wash all her bad feelings away. It doesn't work, and she sits in the shower crying. Elisabeth comes in and helps her. It's been a long day for her, but she knows that only females should be around her at this time. The night nurse should be back tomorrow for her regular shift. Elisabeth puts Marsha to bed and helps her to sleep. Later that night, the nightmare starts.
Alex becomes aware that he is dreaming. It's not his dream, but Marsha's. In this dream, he sees a dark alley and a stack of pallets. He watches as four wolves drag Marsha to the pallets and throw her on them. He can't move as he watches the attack on Marsha unfold. He tries to intervene but is frozen in place. He then screams out her name, and Marsha's eyes track to him. "Did she hear me"? He then tries to talk to her. "Marsha, this isn't real. It's a dream." Marsha shakes her head, "No, this is real, it's what happened to me, and I deserve it." "You didn't deserve this, Marsha. No one does." "But I do deserve this. I've been a bad bunny, and this is my just dessert for what I did." Marsha screams as the wolf in between her legs enters her. Alex still can't move, and he has to stand there and watch her be assaulted.
"Marsha, think for a minute. Could you talk and move during your original assault"? Marsha stops screaming long enough to think about what's happening and what Alex said. The wolf between her legs slowly fades from sight as she thinks about it. Once he's gone, she closes her legs and sits up. She turns to Alex and blushes. Both of them in this dream are naked as the day is long. "How can you stand there and love me? I'm damaged goods. I've been raped. How could you want me"? "I want you, Marsha, because I love you. It has been said that love is blind, and if it is blind, then I never want to see again."
Marsha chuckles a bit as she gets off the pallets. The alley scene behind her fades to a white plain. Alex stands there, waiting for her to make the first move. She has been hurt, but it will be her choice if she wants him. Marsha shakes and then clutches herself as she falls to her knees. Alex wants to hold her, but he still can't move. Marsha eventually gets up and stands there shaking. "I'm still damaged goods, Alex. I'm a naughty bunny. I…I began to enjoy what they were doing to me. I had several orgasm's during the assault. I don't know if I can ever be right again."
Marsh stares at the ground holding herself and shaking. "Marsha, Look at me. I'm here for you." Marsha looks at Alex with tears in her eyes. "It's not your fault, and you're not a bad bunny. Your body was responding to stimuli. Your body did not betray you either. Just because your mind says it's wrong doesn't mean it is wrong. You had no control over your response." "BUT I ENJOYED IT." Screamed Marsha at Alex. "Maybe, but how much experience in sex did you have before the assault? I'm guessing zero experience. You can't base your whole life on one incident. Not all sex will be like that. Some will be caring and compassionate." "Like you? Is that all you're offering me, sex? Don't make me laugh."
"No, I'm offering you so much more. Sex is only a small part of a relationship. In olden times, mates only had sex when they wanted children. And that only happened at certain times of the year. Our bodies still respond to our life cycles. Granted, in modern times, we mostly ignore our cycles and go for it at any time we want. But if I had to guess, you were probably in heat, and your body wanted to be mated. Medical research knows very little about that part of the brain. My mom has intense heat cycles, so I came into being. She took home a stripped hare eighteen years ago when her chill pills ran out, and I was conceived from that union. God only knows how he got my mom pregnant, but he did. And I'm here to tell you that I don't regret being born. All my trials and hardships have made me a stronger individual. And before you ask, about what I have just told you, I got it all from reading books at the library. I'm not that smart, but I do try." Alex can see that Marsha now has hope in her eyes. "What are we, Alex? Are we an abomination to God"? "No, I don't think so. If God didn't want us to be born, or find each other, then we would not have been born or found each other. As for what we are, my mom always called me her "Jackalope." My father was a hare named Jack, and my mother is an antelope. So, this name fits." Marsha burst out laughing. "It kind of does, doesn't it"?
Marsha takes a good long look at Alex weighing the pros and cons, and comes to a decision. Right or wrong, her choice made, she steps forward and embraces Alex. Both of them freeze as a blinding light takes them away. Both wake up later and sit up in their respective beds. Alex falls back down, clutches the pillow to his chest, and coughs for a few seconds. He becomes aware of a shadow in his room when the coughing subsides. The shadow detaches from the wall and comes to the side of his bed. Marsha then takes his paw in hers. "Hello, my love. What are you doing here"? "I came to apologize to you, Alex. I have hurt you, and I know you can forgive me, but I'm not sure I can forgive myself." She hangs her head as the tears start. Alex scootches over and pats the mattress beside himself. Marsha, without hesitation, climbs onto the bed and lies beside Alex. Alex pulls her into his chest, and they both let out a contented sigh as they fall asleep together. Their bond continues to form as they sleep.
The scat hits the fan later that morning as Marsha is found missing from her room. A search of the complex is initiated but is called off later, as Marsha is found sleeping in Alex's room. Jessica and Thomas leave her there to sleep, and they smile at them both as they close the door. Later they both wake up together. Marsha has a minor panic attack as she feels an arm and paw holding her to a body behind her. Before she can do more than react, Alex speaks.
("Good morning, my love; sleep well"?) Marsha quells the panic rising in her and moves back into the body behind her with a big sigh. It felt so right to do this. "Yes, I did. This is still all new to me. Can we really become mates"? ("We can become anything you want us to be. I love you, Marsha, unconditionally.")
Marsha rolls over to look into the brown eyes of her mate. "Wait, when did he become my mate"? She thinks. ("I became your mate when you chose me over that dream you were having.") Marsha's eyes open wide. "How can I hear what you're thinking? Your lips weren't moving." (I don't know. I just spoke to you in my mind. This is very weird.") "I know, right? How are you doing it"? ("Not sure, I am just thinking of what I want to say to you, and I appear to be projecting this to your mind.") "Ok, let me see if I can do the same thing to you." Marsha looks inside her mind and sees what she thinks is a link to Alex. Then she thinks down the link to Alex. ("Is it something like this"?) ("Exactly like that, love.") ("Wow, can all couples communicate like this"?) ("Only a few couples we know can communicate like this. In time, you will get better at it. But it would be best if you stopped for now. Or learn some volume control. Your mind voices are very loud. Jessica and I can train you in this. Again, we are masters in this aspect. But William and Amber and a few others are just as good as us.")
Jessica smiles at Marsha as she takes her free paw and checks her pulse. "So, Marsha, you gave us a bit of a scare this morning when we went to check up on you. You were gone. And it looked like you left your room in haste." "I did leave my room in a hurry. I had to find Alex after what he did for me in my dreams. He broke the dream cycle. I'm free of that memory. Well, just the pain and agony of it. It has formed me a bit, but I'm sure with Alex's help. It won't haunt me forever. He believes in me and what we can become." "That's good, having one who believes in you. I don't know how far I would have gone if Jessica wasn't at my side." Jessica turns his head for a kiss from Thomas. Marsha is embarrassed about the public display of affection. She looks at Alex but can't bring herself to kiss him in front of others. Alex smiles at her ("No rush, when you're ready.") Marsha smiles at him and thinks one word ("Soon.") Marsha gets off his bed and stands there, holding his paw and smiling down at him.
Maggie comes in and speaks, "Good morning, son. How are y…. What is that little hussy doing here"? Marsha can't handle the raw anger from Maggie and curls up into a ball as she hits the floor crying. "MOM," Screams Alex as he jumps off the bed and hugs Marsha to his chest. The pain in his heart is nothing compared to the pain of losing Marsha. He holds her as she cries. Everyone watches as Alex comforts Marsha.
Maggie puts her hooves to her muzzle and contemplates the scene in front of her. She knew how much pain Alex was in from his injury, but he went to comfort her without a thought to his own well-being. "Am I being a wrong-headed old female"? She thinks. "What if I'm wrong? What have I done"? She thinks to herself as her anger flows away. Alex turns to his mom, and without thinking, he projects to his mom. ("GOD DAMN IT, MOM, YOU'VE HURT HER. GET OUT.") Everyone could hear him perfectly, and they all winced at his mind's voice. Maggie starts to cry as she turns for the door.
Thomas won't let her leave. Alex continues to comfort Marsha. Marsha turns in his embrace and clutches him tight as she cries on his shoulder. Maggie turns back and watches them. Maggie falls to her knees, still crying. "I'm sorry, son. I didn't realize." "You should have, mom. I told you she is my mate." Marsha slowly turns her head and looks at Maggie. "I'm sorry, Mis Antlerson. But I will do anything in my power, short of leaving Alex, to show you I'm worthy of his love." "I can see that. I'm the sorry one. I hurt you. Can you forgive an old female"? Marsha disengages from Alex and goes to his mom. She gets down on her knees and hugs Maggie. Both kneel there crying and clutching each other. Thomas goes around them and helps Alex back into bed. Alex winces at the pain of getting up. Thomas makes sure that Alex is comfortable. Then disengages the brakes on his bed. Jessica unplugs the Heart monitor and rolls up the disconnected leads and cords. "Time to move, everyone."
"Where are we going"? Asks Maggie. "We are taking Alex to his new room. After I repair the stitch, he tore." All of them leave the room and trundle down the hall to a new room. As they walk, Alex stares at Marsha's tail. The hospital gown doesn't cover it. In fact, it barely covers anything. Marsha becomes aware of Alex's scrutiny, and fast flips her tail around. A minor tent appears in the sheets covering Alex. Marsha blushes and smiles at the response. What happened is not lost on Thomas and Jessica. They smile, and think to themselves, "She's well on her way to recovery."
They enter a bigger room, and Thomas goes to get an instrument package and cart. When he returns, he asks, "do you want some privacy, Alex"? "No, it's ok. It's only a stitch." Marsha watches as Thomas removes the bandage, cleans the wound, repairs the stitch, and puts a fresh bandage on it. With Jessica's help, they transfer him to a new and bigger bed. Maggie wonders why he is being transferred to a bigger bed when it dawns on her. Elisabeth comes in with Marsha's clothes and places them in one of the dresser drawers.
She smiles at Alex and Marsha and goes to get them breakfast. Marsha crawls onto the bed and hugs Alex. "Aren't you moving a little too fast, son"? "No, I don't think we are. I'm moving at Marsha's pace." "My pace"? "Yes, your pace. I don't want to scare you away now that I've found you." Marsha hugs Alex's neck. "You won't scare me away. You're my knight in shining armor." Maggie looks at the sappy love scene in front of her and cries. Both Alex and Marsha hold out a paw to Maggie. Maggie comes to the side of the bed and holds both of their paws.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you, mom, but all I could think of was I was losing Marsha. I never thought I would lose you." "You haven't lost me, son. It would take a bit more than some anger to get rid of me. But how did you speak? I didn't see your lips move." "Not sure exactly, but Thomas said he could teach us how to do it properly. Maybe talk to him about it." "I will. In the meantime, I have to go. I have a new exercise starting today. And more training with Scott. I didn't realize he is one of the founders of this company." He's so down to earth and approachable."
"I have found the same thing, mom. I have met a few more of the owners of the company, and they are all very approachable. This company is so different from most companies, and William did say that this company is family oriented." "I can see that. Can I visit both of you later? I think I need to get to know my new daughter better." Marsha burst out crying again.
"Did I say something wrong"? "No, mom, you didn't. Marsha never knew her mother. She heard her voice, but as she was a newborn, she never saw her face. Her brother and she were dumped in a baby box at the orphanage where they grew up." "I'm sorry, I didn't know. Would you prefer I don't call you daughter"? Marsha dries her tears a bit, "no, it's all right. I liked the fact that you see me as a daughter. It's just that it brought up the few memories I have of my mother.
The first thing I remember is being born and my mother cooing at us both. She was in pain from childbirth, but she still cooed at us. My brother was born first, with me a close second. She told us that she was scared of my father and could no longer protect us." "You have a brother"? "I did. He ran away from the orphanage when we were eight. I haven't seen him since. I always wondered where he was and if he was doing ok. I don't know why he ran." "That is just so sad." Said Maggie bringing her into another hug. She lets her go and turns to leave. As she leaves, Elisabeth comes back in with their breakfast. Marsha and Alex feed each other pieces of fruit and vegetables. When done, they both fall asleep in each other's arms.
Thomas and Jessica return in the afternoon. Both Marsha and Alex are checked out by their respective doctors. The mind voice lessons don't take long to learn. The shield takes longer for both of them to learn. Both blush at why they are being taught shielding techniques. But yes, it was good for them to know this. Don't want to upset some little kit who might be in the same building as them. Maggie comes in later that night, and they all play cards for an hour or two as they talk and get to know themselves better. Maggie hugs them both and promises to see them tomorrow. She then takes her leave of them. Soon they cuddle together and fall into a deep, restful sleep.
FROM THE STAR NEWS
By Chris Beaverton
Something new has come out of Wilde industries. A new medical diagnostic bed has been developed. This bed can possibly take over from doctors on an initial visit. Though the creators say it has an accuracy of 99.9%. this doesn't mean that doctors will become obsolete. It just means that they have one more tool in their arsenal of tools to use.
In fact, medical journals have the results of the bed in action. Jessica Lasiter, with the help of Thomas lasiter, has repaired the hearing of an assault victim. She lost her hearing two years ago in an assault on her. The perps were trying to kill her. She survived the assault but lost her hearing. Jessica has now restored her hearing with nanobots controlled by this bed. It has been reported that she now has a full range of hearing for her species. They keep up these minor miracles, and people will begin to believe they can cure anything. They can't. These were their own words when asked. "Science can do a lot of wonderful things, but we are not miracle workers." By the end of the year, all hospitals in Zootopia should have one of these beds and technicians to run them.
In more news from Wilde Industries, twenty-six cities on this continent now have cold fusion power plants. At this point, all major cities will have a cold fusion power plant by the end of the decade. Big coal is pushing the council to stop the spread of power plants. They are losing profits.
The council, in a unanimous decision, voted them out of the chambers. Some members even laughed at their petition. Some coal mines have shut down, with more slated for closure later this year. Wilde Industries has stepped up to the plate to help the miners, with pensions or retraining in the job of their choice. The coal companies have asked Wilde Industries for handouts, but they don't believe in corporate welfare. If the market won't support them, why should they? Seems like some rich mammals are worried about funding their lifestyles.
If all rich people lived like the founders of Wild Industries, then there would be no class distinction. The founders live in a modest building and drive cars, bikes, and bicycles like the rest of us. No one drives them around. And their riches are spent trying to improve the lives of common people, not fund a lifestyle. Some are doctors, nurses, and cops helping everyday people. My hats off to them, and I hope they keep up the good work.