Episode 5

Narrated by Elizabeth

For three months now, I’ve been confined to this padded room. Each time they unlock the door, I greet them with hostility and they force me to sleep. I suppose sleeping isn’t so bad; it lets me dream about my father, Uncle Alec, and Athos. Yet, I wish I didn’t have these peculiar dreams where I’m able to speak with Athos. My once keen sense of smell seems to be gradually fading, as if withering away while trapped in this place.

Daily, I converse with Dr. Wilson, who redundantly tells me, "There is no wolf village; it’s all a figment of your mind," and "Your aunt brought you here because you couldn’t face your parents' demise in an accident, diving into fantasies and becoming a danger to yourself and family."

Eventually, I started to believe it was all in my head, but I feel odd stepping into the courtyard; something inside beckons me toward the secluded corner, where only a fence stands between me and the forest. There, seated, I stare with a sense of yearning.

Each day includes two hours of therapy with Dr. Wilson, but the length of my stay here escapes me. At this moment, I am with the doctor.

"Hello, Dr. Wilson."

"Hi Elizabeth, how are you feeling today?"

"I’m okay, though I sense something is not right."

"Do you remember why you're here?"

"It's a bit hazy, but I recall that my inability to accept my parents' death led me to fabricate tales about a 'Wolf People.'"

"Elizabeth, after extensive treatment, I believe you’ll soon be ready to go home."

I still can't shake the feeling that something is amiss, with no memory before this hospitalization except for my belief in a wolf village and aggressive behavior. In the courtyard during my morning walks, I'm drawn to the unfenced area bordering the woods, where unrecognizable scents lead me.

I continue to have bizarre dreams about fictitious people, my supposed father, and a boy named Athos. Dr. Wilson believes these illusions persist because my subconscious clings to a false reality. Tomorrow marks my 12th birthday, and I’m well enough to receive visits from Aunt Emmy and Uncle John. I have no recollection of anything before I was six, and I’m unaware of who my aunts and uncles are, except that they took me in post-accident and had me admitted for everyone's safety, as I was out of control and could harm them.

It's curfew time, and I return to my locked room, sinking into sleep swiftly.

Dream on

Once more, I stand before a large house surrounded by trees, the sun warming my skin, the breeze tenderly brushing me. Athos approaches, encloses me in an embrace, and pecks my cheek. As we play and dash through the woods to a stunning lake, he transforms into a beautiful, gray wolf with intense blue eyes. He gazes into mine, drawing near.

"Where are you?" he repeatedly asks.

"I'm right here in front of you!" I always respond the same.

For the first time, he inquires differently:

"Where are you sleeping?"

"I'm not sleeping; I'm standing here before you!" But as he looks at me, reverting to his boyish form, he confides:

"Elizabeth, this is a dream where I can finally speak with you," leaving me perplexed, unsure what to believe.

"Thanks to my promise to always be by your side, we share a bond for life." It must be a joke; wolves aren’t real.

"Wolves aren't real; they don't live in villages, and I wasn't raised by them," I shout.

Dream off

I wake up screaming, "No, no, no" – I won't let this overtake me again; I want to go home to my uncles and not be swayed by a recurring dream.

Dreams are merely our subconscious attempting to escape reality; I refuse to be deceived by my mind.

I quickly rise, pressing the emergency button, and soon two nurses enter my agitated room as I pace, murmuring, "There is no wolf village; it’s a product of my imagination." The refrain doesn't cease; the nurses advance.

"Come, it's time to sleep," one assures me, while the other readies the syringe.

"I don't want to sleep; I refuse to see the wolves," but the needle pierces my arm, my body weakens, and my eyes grow heavy. I strive to resist, but to no avail.

Narrated by Athos

After years of searching for Elizabeth, everyone had given up; even her father had conceded defeat. I knew she was alive and confused because each time I reached out to her in dreams, she tried to tell me something. Frequently, all I could decipher was "help me" as her other words faded away. As time progressed, she became more indifferent, and now that she could vocalize few words and communication was clear, she didn't believe me.

Having thoroughly researched, I confided in my father about my nightly encounters with Elizabeth, but he dismissed the notion of a link, which should only be possible among wolves. Determined, I scoured every tome about the subject.

I learned that such a connection exists when a wolf finds its mate, who must also be lupine. Confused about what that entailed, I became convinced I'd find her.

Today, she was happily dreaming with me, but now believes we're nonexistent, influenced by someone convincing her only humans are real. I'll try again tomorrow, making her believe me and reveal her location.

I knock on my father's office door, awaiting summons.

"Come in."

"Father, can we talk?"

"Of course, take a seat." Resolved, I’m seated across from my father.

"Father, I've studied the bond between wolves," I state, and he skeptically raises a brow.

"It's true. Every night, I dream of Elizabeth, each time more perplexed and disbelieving in wolves." As I speak, he stands, looking incredulously at me.

"Elizabeth vanished six years ago, likely dead. No sightings anywhere, let it go," he insists. Angered by the thought she may never return, I can't help but yell.

"She is alive. Every night, we speak in dreams, and I know it’s real; she's my destined mate." My father's astonishment breaks through as he queries:

"How can that be!? She's human; she cannot be your mate!" I'm unsure if I should reveal she might be a hybrid, which would make her a criminal due to prohibited human-wolf relations.

"Father, in our old books, I found references to beings with wolf-like abilities—scent, agility, strength, and intelligence. Almost certain, she’s a hybrid, making our connection feasible," I inform him, and he appears astounded.

"It makes sense, but informing Vincenzo that his daughter might be alive—a criminal for her heritage—is delicate. He's moved on; young Mattheus is nearly five, set to take Elizabeth's place as heir now that he believes her deceased."

"Father, we must convince the Supreme to resume the search," I plea.

My determination and purpose are clear—to be by her side, no matter what or where.

"Her distance is great, our link only manifesting in slumber."

"I'll persuade the Supreme to renew the search."

Relieved, I return to my room, buoyed by the belief in Elizabeth's return and hoping the Supreme will also see the truth. It took years to gather evidence that she is no mere human and to affirm her existence.

As I lie down, centered on the thought "I'll soon be reunited with my Eliz," sleep overtakes me.

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