The barking of a dog woke me up this time. Still feeling groggy, I let my hand pat and stretch on the bed, stopping short when I noticed something. I was clothed. The first time, I hadn’t even noticed if I was clothed or not. The pain hadn’t allowed me that luxury of feeling anything. But the second time, I had been naked save for a thin gown which correlated to a normal hospital gown reserved for sick human patients in their hospitals. But now, I was in a pair of shorts and a thin polo. No bra though. How? In short, who had been even in charge of my dressing? I hope it was the female stranger. The thought of the man peeking at my body even though he was most likely the doctor and seemed sincere didn’t sit well with me. I have always preferred female doctors. Call me whatever, but that’s my choice. Why would a man be looking down there? Doesn’t it feel weird, for them I mean? Should that be your headache now? My head taunted me and I mused, unready to admit its accuracy. There are more things to worry about than who had been in charge of my wardrobe. I noticed then that I felt lighter, like normal, no pain of any sorts. I must be completely healed. I thought, breathing in deeply. Shrugging my shoulders, chanting ’here goes nothing’ in my head, I sat up on the bed and flung my left leg down on the bed, quickly taking it up in the twinkle of an eye when a dog ran into the room, directly toward me. What the hell! Who let the dog out of its kernel!! And why would a dog welcome me on my first step away from the clutches of death? "Dagon! Wait! Not there!" I heard the voice of the little girl first before I saw her run wildly into the room. The dog was at the base of my bed, staring at me, then barking at intervals. Dogs. I loved them at one time. But looking at this big dog reminded me of my pack. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ NoveI(F)ire.net Wolves were just higher dogs after all. And so, I wanted nothing other than the girl to take the dog away from here. But I don’t want to come off as rude. "I’m sorry about Dagon. He shouldn’t be here. Come on Dagon, get out now." The little girl commanded, instilling steel into her voice, her hand and finger stretched out to the door which since I have seen it, is always open, making me curious about what might be waiting for me outside. I was thirsty. I was hungry. I needed fresh air too. I needed to walk. The dog whined, looked at me one more time before strutting out of the room, its tail wagging as it walked out. Immediately he left, the little girl stalked up to me. "Hi..." she said shyly, her head cocking to her left side, her hands tangled in front of her. She was a cute little thing. "Hi Diana..." I greeted back, a bit amused when a look of disbelief coated her face. She must be wondering how I knew her name. "I heard your mother call you that last time. I guess it stuck. It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl like you." I said, a ghost of a smile on my lips as I watched her face brighten and redden. She was blushing. "Thank you." She muttered. "What’s yours? Where are you from?" She asked, climbing onto my bed. Okay, this one was quite a handful just like her mother had said. "My name is Maya, and I’m not sure where I am from." I answered, staring down at her, unmoved when she blinked her eyes in worry and sadness. She must have thought that I had lost some part of my memory. But I had actually told the truth. I don’t know where I am from. My pack wasn’t my pack. I was adopted. I don’t even know who my parents were. "That’s sad." Diana murmured, placing her short small hand on mine. It was foreign but soft and calming, probably why I didn’t remove mine immediately. The girl was so cute, and I couldn’t resist her. "Yeah really. Where are your parents?" I asked her, needing to know some answers to my questions already. My stomach was beginning to voice its discontent at the state of emptiness there. "They are outside. I can lead you to them. Can you stand?" She asked, a note of unsurety in her voice and eyes. "Of course. Your parents did a great job." I said, meaning to cheer her on. It worked. She blushed again and jumped down from the bed, her hand stretched out, probably to hold mine. Okay, this girl really knows love. She is lucky. Without much ado, I swung my legs to the ground, hesitating for a minute, not quite ready for any pain. "How long did I sleep this last time?" I asked her, just to get her attention off my cowardice. "17 days." She answered immediately. She was truly brilliant. So, I slept for two weeks and three days. That’s...well..long for a sleep. "Daddy said it would be the last long sleep you will have." She added, causing me to furrow my eyebrows. The man was always speaking in parables. Diana flapped her hand, indicating that she was waiting for me to take the bold step forward and I nodded at her as if we were in some silent communication. She nodded back, and kept her hand straight, toward me. I could see the truest in her eyes. Taking a deep breath, motivated by her deep belief in her fathers handwork, I applied pressure to my hands on the bed and stood up. Slight pain probably from lying down for long, but nothing more. I was healed. Thank the goddess. Another chance at life. Another chance to do things differently.