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I climb into the bed. My mind needs a break from all of this.
“Goodnight, Wren,” Oz’s voice is quiet and soothing as he turns off the light.
I sit up, panic forming a knot in my stomach. “Wait, Oz,” I call. He stops and opens the door a few inches wider. “Will you please stay with me?” I don’t even want to get up to any funny business. I just don’t want to be alone. His silhouette frames the doorway as he studies me for a moment. Half a second is all it takes to shift his entire resistance and convince him to take his place at my side.
“Of course,” he said, entering the room and closing the door. Sliding into bed with me, I notice he only wears his boxers. He curls behind me, being the big spoon, wrapping his arm around my middle and holding me close. “Whatever you need, little bird, it’s yours.” I wiggle into him, ensuring I am as close as possible. I feel safe and warm like this and I don’t want it to end.
When I drift off, I have no fear of nightmares about the crash bothering me tonight.
Oz will protect me and fight them off.
Eventsofthepreviousday have exhausted me more than I thought they would because I sleep in. It is mentally taxing to constantly look inside yourself for your past and find it empty. I dress in leggings and an oversized sweater that hangs off one of my shoulders, revealing the strap of the tank top I wear underneath. I pull my hair back into a half ponytail, letting the back cascade down my shoulders. It would be out of the way like this, but still down. I don’t bother with makeup tonight. I’m not good at it. Charlee will be coming back this evening, though, and I look forward to letting her doll me up again.
Oz had left me earlier, kissing my temple and telling me to keep sleeping if I wish. I appreciate the extra rest. Physically I feel like I can do anything, but mentally and emotionally, I am spent.
The lake had been terrifying.
And I am nowhere close to remembering my past.
According to Rolando, while there isn’t anything he can do for my phone itself, he may be able to pull some data off the SIM card. They can be damaged by water, but not as severely as the general electric components of the phone itself. It is a long shot, but if he can do it, I may be able to recover things like my contacts and text messages. Those can certainly help in my journey to discovering myself and my memories.
Nerves worm into me as I examine my things from the cabin, touching each one gently and willing it to give me something.Anything. Any damn clue as to who I am. They all lay there, unable to provide me with what I want. I frown and shake my head, deciding to try again later.
Downstairs is starting to get lively as the guys all gather. That must mean Charlee is getting close. The parched feeling is in my throat again. Hungry. Thirsty. It’s all the same. I join them in waiting.
“How goes it, new girl?” One of the triplets, I think Alex, asked. They may not be identical, but they seem pretty freaking close to me.
“It goes…” I sigh. “I still can’t remember anything before I woke up like this,” gesturing to myself.
I can see the uneasy frowns among my new family. This must be incredibly unusual if it causes them distress.
Zach rests a hand on my shoulder. “I’m sure it will come back. And if not, Leland can probably help you.” Mutterings of agreement surround us.
Leland.
They speak of him with such reverence, such admiration. Is it simply because he is their creator? I doubt it. He must be an awe-inspiring leader to garnish this much loyalty and respect.
The doors open, Oz walks in with Rolando and a handful of humans trailing behind them, and Charlee brings up the rear. Every human is compelled to be here. Charlee had literally grabbed us all a bite. Oz grins as he greets his brothers before standing at my side. Kissing my lips gently, I can feel him breathing me in. Charlee smirks at me and shares a knowing look with Rolando.
Great.
They’ve probably been taking bets on how long it would take before I could knock through Oz’s good guy routine and get him to let go a little.
“Did you sleep well?” He asks.
The concerned look on his face from last night is gone. He seems content that I have recovered from the whole lake debacle. I try to remember if I had any dreams, but nothing comes to mind. I don’t remember even seeing the faces. “Probably the best sleep since I turned,” I admit. “No nightmares,” I whisper just for him.
“Good, I’m glad.” He is so calm all the time, I’m a little jealous of it.
“Well, this will be one hell of a party!” Charlee strides over quickly and pulls me into a hug. My stiff form relaxes in her arms and I grin, squeezing her back. “I’m so glad that things seem to be going well now that you two are ma-” She pauses briefly, and I catch the look Oz throws at her. “-making headway in your relationship.” Charlee is quick on her feet, I’ll give her that. However, I am quick too, and Oz doesn’t want to look me in the eye again.
There is something they still aren’t telling me. I try to shrug it off. If they are keeping something on the down low, knowing Oz, it is for some noble or honorable reason. I choose to let it go for now.
“I’m happy I get to be here for your first time drinking from a human,” Charlee says as releases me. I watch everyone else circle the humans, picking who they want. “We have a fresh supply of donated blood too, but something about drinking directly from someone is just better. You know, farm to table and all that.”
I snort. The thought of directly sourcing blood is entertaining. There are enough humans here that we could each have one to ourselves. That gnawing sensation in my gut is back, my nerves flaring to life and anxiety taking hold of me.
Charlee must’ve picked hers on the way here because she possessively pulls a female human from the group. “Mine.” She grumbles at Chandra before turning and winking at me. She leads her human away. I look to Oz, unsure of what to do.
