ch: 9
The girl’s eyes darted frantically around the room, her trembling body pressed tightly into the corner. Olivia stood frozen near the bed, her hands raised in surrender, the glint of the needle still visible on the floor where it had been dropped. When Alaric and Elian burst into the room, they immediately took in the scene—Olivia tense with frustration and worry, and the girl cowering like a cornered animal, her wide eyes fixed on Olivia in terror.
Alaric stormshield
“What happened?” his voice sharp with concern as his gaze flicked between them.
olivia
“She woke up,” her tone clipped but laced with guilt. “I was trying to give her medicine, but she panicked. She attacked me like she thought I was going to hurt her!”
At the sound of Olivia’s voice, the girl flinched violently, her hands gripping her knees tighter.
Nia solis/lyra
“Stay away!” she cried, her voice trembling. “Don’t touch me! Don’t come near me!”
olivia
Stepping back and looking to Alaric for help. “She doesn’t understand,” she muttered, her voice a mixture of exasperation and sadness.
Alaric stormshield
Stepping Forward cautiously, his voice softer now. “It’s okay,” he said, his eyes fixed on the girl. “You’re safe. No one here is going to hurt you.”
But she didn’t seem to hear him. Her trembling gaze remained fixed on Olivia, her voice shaking as she mumbled incoherently,
Nia solis/lyra
“Don’t... don’t hurt me. Please, no more... I’m sorry... just don’t...”
Alaric stormshield
“Olivia, step outside,” gently but firmly, glancing back at her.
olivia
“I’m just trying to help!”
Alaric stormshield
“She’s scared of you right now,” his tone calm but resolute. “Let me handle it.”
Reluctantly, Olivia nodded and left the room, brushing past Elian with a frustrated sigh. Once the door clicked shut, the girl seemed to relax just a fraction, though her wide, tear-filled eyes now turned to Alaric.
he said softly, crouching down so he was at her eye level.
Alaric stormshield
“It’s just me now. Olivia’s gone, okay? No one’s going to touch you if you don’t want them to.”
Her lips quivered as fresh tears spilled down her cheeks. Slowly, she crawled toward him on shaky hands and knees before clinging to him with a desperation that caught him off guard.
Nia solis/lyra
“Don’t leave me alone!” she sobbed, burying her face into his chest. “Please! Don’t let her come back—she’ll hurt me!”
Elian, who had been standing quietly near the door, finally spoke, his tone light but reassuring.
elian
“It’s okay. You don’t have to be scared of anyone here. Alaric and I will make sure of that.”
The girl peeked over Alaric’s shoulder at Elian, her fear dimming slightly at his kind tone. But when her gaze darted to the closed door, she clung tighter to Alaric.
Nia solis/lyra
“She was holding something sharp,” the girl whispered, her voice barely audible. “I thought she was going to... like before...” Her words trailed off, and she trembled against him.
Alaric exchanged a glance with Elian, his expression grim.
Alaric stormshield
“It was medicine,” he explained softly to her. “Nothing to hurt you. Olivia would never harm you.”
The girl shook her head vigorously.
Nia solis/lyra
“No! She looked angry. She wanted to hurt me. I know it!”
Alaric sighed, running a hand gently through her hair to calm her.
Alaric stormshield
“I’ll talk to her, okay? You don’t have to see her if you’re not ready. I’ll stay with you, and so will Elian. You’re not alone anymore.”
The girl nodded weakly, her sobs quieting into soft sniffles as she clung to him. Alaric glanced at Elian, who gave him a small nod, silently agreeing to give Olivia time and space to earn the girl’s trust.
For now, all that mattered was keeping her safe, even if it meant holding back those who wanted to help the most.
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