CHAPTER TWELVE

CASEY'S P.O.V

"Didn't the doctors prescribe any drugs for her?" an anxious Lia queried, making me realise that there was nothing that'd create a barrier between I and her rage this moment.

I immediately scanned my head for an excuse to give.

"Well erm, the doctor made mention of Astoria's resentment to drugs, so…"

"So?" Lia persisted, her expression unyielding.

"So… so he advised we try to help her get better by using psychological methods." I stuttered.

"Oh, really? What 'methods' did the doctor tell you about?" Lia asked.

I tittered, unsure of how to avert Lia. We were sitting in her closet, conversing in hush tones. Lia seemed to have realised that I was lying all along. She leaned in, trying to read the expression I had on my face.

“You shouldn’t have forgotten about something so important, Casey.” she whispered.

I shook my head, realising how irresponsible I have become over the days. I couldn’t place the blame on the upcoming school exams, because I haven’t even began to revise my notes and reference materials.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” I said apologetically.

“Be sorry to Astoria and not me, okay?”

“Ah, right.”

“So err, the major reason I called you in here was to inform you about something, Casey.”

“Really? And what is that? Is there any sort of problem?”

“I guess yes?” Lia said, sounding uncertain. “My mother was off to Carolina, and my father to Berlin, remember?”

“Yeah. So why are you telling me about this? Did something happen to them?”

“Nah. They’d be returning in a matter of days, Casey.”

My eyes widened in shock, a wave of realization hitting me hard on the face. Astoria might have to leave eventually. And that might happen if Lia’s parents aren’t welcoming with the ids of her staying with them. Either way, then truth will get to my parents, because I know how overprotective and sensitive Lia and Leo’s parents can be, and they probably might just phone my parents all in the name of trying to keep me safe.

I stared back at Lia, who couldn’t help facing her head down, probably thinking of how distraught I’m beginning to feel. Her generous nature has made her forgotten that it was my burden I had come to drop on her that night, and she welcomed Astoria without any sort of complaints. I was the one who had gotten myself into this mess.

I was the one who had knocked down Astoria on that night when I was taking my new car for a test drive. I was the one responsible for Astoria’s anaemia. I was the one who has now devoid her from recollecting any ounce of memory about her family or friends, one whom she might reach out to for help.

This is my burden, and I have to begin to own up to it.

TANNER’S P.O.V

Mother already dismissed me from her office. Rather than choosing to pick up the house keys, I chose to tell her I’d wait till she’s done and accompany her back home. The only thing to suspect here is that I am doing this for a reason, and that is to find out more about the comatose girl.

The thought of her alone sends chills down my spine, makes me wriggle like a fish out of the sea. I took the stairs down the second floor rather, even when there’s clearly an elevator to use. I was obviously doing things unlike I’d have done them in a mundane manner.

I finally got to the second floor, and I caught a glimpse of the ward at my left end—Ward 123.

I sighed heavily before I continued walking, waving hands at whatever nurse I came across. Using my mother as a sort of defensive mechanism to inquire about the comatose girl was pretty unwise, but I just had to do it anyway.

Did I just say that?

I got to the front of the ward, and I noticed some set of gentlemen sitting close to the ward. “I guess they are her family.” I thought.

I waved at them, but they seemed pretty somber they didn’t return the gesture. That was disappointing, yet understandable. I mean, I met that girl some months ago, and she was in a coma. I believe she must have been there for a while even before I met her that night. Before I… you know, kisses her on the forehead.

It’s been approximately six months, so I imagined being her family and having to wake up everyday to a realisation that my relative is still in coma. It really is heartbreaking.

I cleared my throat and prepared myself for the act I was about to display. It’s a 50-50 situation, and I was hoping it all falls for me on the favouring end.

I pushed the door, making an attempt to step into the ward, but one of the gentlemen stood up to stop me. He seemed pretty old enough to be the girl’s father or uncle, I assume.

“Who are you, if I may ask?” the man questioned, his gaze racing after my every gesture to search for any hint of lies.

“Well erm, I am the son of the doctor in charge of the patient in here—Doctor Alessia.”

“Ah, well.” another gentleman stood up from his seat. “And she sent you to come do what?”

“She told me to come check up on the young lady in this ward.” I said, tittering.

I noticed the two gentlemen staring at each over with a puzzled expression before turning to face me.

“Are you sure you were directed to the right ward,” one of them asked. “because the patient in this world is my son who had an accident weeks ago.” the man added.

My lips morphed a wide ‘O’, staring at the gentlemen, unsure of what excuse to tell next.

“Oh,” I stuttered, “I-I must have gotten to the wrong ward then.”

“It could be. Maybe you missed the correct ward number. Go ask the doctor for better clarification.” one of the gentlemen advised.

I nodded, smiling nervously as I exited the ward.

I revisited my memories, and I was quite sure it was Ward 123. I remembered how she looks like, even when the room was devoid of the fluorescent light bulbs above. It was just that from the moonlight, casting its luminescence on the room and her face.

I remember everything clearly.

Could it be that she had been discharged? That meant she was out of coma! I don’t know why, but a smile crept past my lips. Asides that night, I couldn’t say that I have met her anywhere before, but I could have sworn that I was truly concerned about her state of being comatose, and my hopes for her to recover soonest.

If she truly had been discharged, then I’m happy—genuinely happy. I hear my ‘Wolf’ growl from the inside dissatisfied, and I rolled my eyes. Before anyone captures me arguing with myself in the middle of a pathway, I walked briskly to a nearby restroom.

“What in the world is it???!” I said inwardly to my ‘Wolf’.

“Aren’t you going to look for her?”

“You seem to be sick in the head.”

“I am inhabiting your body, you moron. I make use of every part of your body, so if you’re referring to me as a ‘sick head’, always remember that head is also yours.” it shot back spitefully.

I grunted in disgust, regretting revealing my ‘Wolf’ the day my mother was being ridiculed by the werewolves of our clan—‘used to be’ clan, actually. If that hadn’t transpired, I probably wouldn’t be bonded with a ‘Wolf’ so persistent and annoying.

For some reasons, I wandered back to what my ‘Wolf’ said. If I’m harbouring emotions that cannot be explained by myself or anyone else, I can start off by trying to let her in person, right?

I stepped out of the restroom, engulfing myself in my thoughts.

ASTORIA’S P.O.V

I couldn’t help but stare at Casey, Lia and Leo and feel thankful for having these people in my life. After the unexplained incident that led to me losing my memory of my past life, these people have filled in that hole bored in my chest within a space of days.

Not only did they—Lia and Leo—take me in, they also provided me with food and clothing when necessary.

I stared at the game pad Leo had handed over to me, watching him give me directions on how to play the game. It seemed intriguing to him, but I didn’t feel the same. Still, I kept trying to learn how to play the game he was coaching me on.

Lia and Casey stepped into the living room, and I could have sworn I didn’t realize the moment they left the living room. Their expressions seemed pretty tense, and I couldn’t help but wander what they had in mind. Lia saw me holding on to one of Leo’s game pads, and I could tell she was about to steam off again.

“Leo!” she yelled, “You are trying to induce her into learning how to play video games, huh?” she retrieved the game pad from me and dominoes it across the living room.

“What does it look like, Lia? Of course I am!” Leo shot back.

I sat back on the sofa, anticipating another session of arguments between the two. But everything died down in an instant, and I took it as the storm has been calmed already.

Casey seemed to be taking her leave already, and I couldn’t help but feel sunken again. It was always nice having her around, and just like Lia, she tries to teach me new things. I reminisced her bringing out a book from her bag today, and it was all about werewolves. I couldn’t tell why, but I instinctively got disinterested from the conversation.

Why I harboured this feeling of hatred and resentment from the ideology is what I couldn’t fathom. It probably could be as a result of the nightmares I have been having recently, or maybe, maybe it was just something I didn’t like naturally. Just like how I didn’t like taking the paste Lia had called butter.

Casey took a seat beside me, placing her hands on mine. I turned to face her, trying to hide my feeling of disappointment.

“Would you like to follow me home?” she asked, and I stared back at her I surprise.

CASEY’S P.O.V

Even when my mind was screaming against my actions, I made up my mind to stick to what I sought out to do. Astoria seemed to resist, but I urged her to give me a response. She nodded in response, and I heaved a sigh of relief.

“I’d come for you tomorrow,” I reassured her, and she smiled back at me.

I stood up to take my leave, and I noticed Lia had been staring at us all this while. She decides to accompany me outside, and I overheard Leo beckoning on Astoria to come play video games with him.

“Keep your filthy games off her, moron!” Lia cussed and I laughed.

“Why don’t you use your ride anymore, Casey?”

“I’ve still got that phobia of riding it.” I said, giggling.

“You know your mom’s not gonna take this lightly?” Lia gestured towards the car.

I buried my face in my palms, remembering what my initial plan had been. I had spent way past the time I intended to at Lia’s, because the plan was to get back home before mother gets back from work.

“Ah, right.” I whispered, stepping into the car.

Lia leaned on the driver’s window side, staring at me whilst inserting the car key to start the car’s engine. I looked up to see her glaring at me. For a second, I likened her to a hungry zombie.

“Goodness, Lia! Why are you staring at me that way?” I shrieked, and she began laughing.

“I wanted to ask you something.”

“What’s that?”

“I know you questioned Astoria about something. What was that?”

I propped my hands on the steering wheel, staring into empty space.

“I have to confess to my mother , Lia. I have to tell her about Astoria.” I said in a declarative tone.

Lia’s eyes exuded that of sympathy and fear, and I kind of hated that. I didn’t want anyone to feel sorry for me. I was in the wrong right from the start by not informing my mother about what transpired months ago. Perhaps, she could have helped me out with Astoria and finding her family.

I started the car engine and beckoned on Lia to help out with the Automated Coded Gates. As I drove out the house, I yelled to Lia, “Take good care of her. The next time that I will be coming, I might be coming to take her back home.”

LIA’S P.O.V

I stepped back into the house, wondering why Casey’s perspective about Astoria generally changed. I eventually realised the reason could have been the moment I broke the news about my parents arriving back home in a matter of days.

Reminiscing the expression on her face, I regretted doing so in the first place. In a feel of anxiety and anticipation, I began wondering about the phone call my parents had placed to me the day before, announcing they’d be home soon. I began to think about the possible excuses I could give about Astoria, and I couldn’t come up with any.

I thought about Casey feeling the pangs of guilt and shame, and I finally understood why she’s taking it up to herself to tell her mother about Astoria.

Admitting to a part of my conscience, I wish to have Astoria close. It’s just been my grumpy twin and I ever since our years of escaping the world of werewolves, so having Astoria in my abode felt… soothing.

“Lia?” I heard Leo calling out to me.

I jolted from my thoughts, turning to face him. I raised my brow, giving him a questioning look.

“You were thinking about your darling Tanner, weren’t you?” he teased and I growled.

He laughed, cautioning me with his index finger, “Bring yourself to control. The last thing we wanna do is alert an anaemic patient and scare the living hell out of her by having to deal with s werewolf in the house.”

I placed myself under control, and the tail erupting from my back shrieked back into place.

“Aren’t you here to say something sensible? If that’s not the case, then get the hell out, Leo. The last thing I wanna do right now is speak about Tanner.” I rolled my eyes in disgust.

Surprisingly, I watched Leo place his hands on mine and persuaded me to sit down. The last time I got to experience this from him was when we met our foster parents. I was so naive I chose not to trust anyone after finding out the truth about my mother and my Aunt. I remembered trying go escape from home that day, but Leo had caught me in the act.

I remembered him sitting me down the way he just did now, and I remembered him saying, “You don’t have to trust anyone here, Lia. Lol at me.” he had raised my chin. “Trust me and me alone. This place is safe, and so are those couples who had taken us in. I promise.”

Reminiscing all that had transpired, I almost forced myself not to smile. I immediately wore a stoic expression, wondering what exactly Leo intends to discuss.

“Try to take into consideration everything we discuss now, Lia.” he said persuasively.

“What are we talking about? Just go straight to the point.”

“The anaemic girl,” he said, “I don’t know why, but there’s—“

“First, why are you referring to her as ‘the anaemic girl’? She has a name, remember?”

“Goodness, Lia. Alright. There is something about ‘Astoria’ that I need you to try reasoning with me.” he said, stressing on Astoria’s name.

I sighed, feeling drained by Leo’s weird actions.

“What about her? What is it you have been observing?” I inquired.

He came up close to me, whispering something into my ears. My eyes widened in shock, and I was compelled to pushing him off me.

“Leo!” I shrieked.

“I am being real, Lia. Try confirming it yourself!” he retorted, staring at me squarely.