Damaged

It’s been five and a half hours now. I’m restless, is everything going on well in there? I’m staring at the hallway; Joshua is over there, somewhere. I know they’re keeping him asleep while surgeing him, but he was in a lot of pain! Wolves are not unconscious without a reason. I sigh, I’m worried. He has always been there for me, and there’s nothing I can do right now.

I look over my shoulder and I see Adam playing on his phone. He’s feeling my gaze and our eyes meet. “Are you OK, babe?” he asks me. I nod. “Yeah, it’s just that I’m worried, you know.”

He takes my hand and puts a small kiss on it. He knows. “It’s not only about this injury..” I say. “It’s Crissie as well. How could she do this? I know she’s human and she probably doesn’t feel the mate-bond like we do. But she told me she feels that he’s important. So why? What did happen over there? So many questions..”

Adam answers: “I don’t know, either, little one. But I do know that Joshua can be talking too much, sometimes. Maybe they had a fight, or words? Her fire went through the door, I’m not sure if she was planning to hit him. Maybe it was an accident?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Maybe. But it doesn’t matter, right now. She hurt my brother! She deserves some punishment. She’s still part of our pack, she needs to come back. We need to know what happened. Besides, if it was an accident then she has a lot to explain.”

Adam has no time to continue this discussion. Nurse Esther is coming out of the hallway and is walking towards us. Her face is blank, I can’t tell anything from her face. I stand up, my hands together against my chest. “And? How did it go? Is he gonna be OK?”

A small smile is showing on Esther’s face. “He’s OK, for now. We did everything we could, and the wounds will heal. But we couldn’t save his left ear, I’m sorry.”

I’m shocked. “What do you mean? Can I see him?”

“I know you have a lot of questions, Beta is in the recovery room right now. You can go to him, Dr. Rose will be there soon. She will explain the surgery, is that OK?”

Adam answers: “Thanks, Esther. That’s fine. We will find the recovery room by ourselves, I know the way.”

Nurse Esther looks over at Adam and nods. “Alright, let me know if I can do something for you.” and she walks away.

I look at Adam, and I’m not sure how to react. Adam grabs my hand and pulls me with him. “Come, Joshua needs you right now.”

He’s right, the questions will come later.

---

“So, the surgery went fine. But as nurse Esther told you already: we couldn’t save his ear. The fire burnt off the left side of his face, we’re lucky it missed his left eye. But there was a hole on the left side of his face. We took some skin off his upper leg and replaced it on his face. Maybe he needs a new surgery when he’s recovered.”

I’ve listened to Dr. Rose and I look at Joshua. His face is covered with bandages. I can only see his right eye and a part of his nose and mouth. Some blonde hairs are falling over his forehead.

“Will he ever be able to hear on the left side?”

Dr. Rose shakes his head. “No, my dear. His eyes is gone. Plastic surgery is needed to make him a new one, but right now it’s the best to recover first. The new skin needs to adjust and when it’s recovered, we will help him further.”

I start to cry, this is so bad! “Oh my gosh, poor Joshua!” I caress his right cheek and give him a kiss on his nose. My big brother, you didn’t deserve this!

“Are there more questions, for now?” Dr. Rose asks.

Adam stares at me and answers: “I don’t think so, doctor. Thanks anyway. We know where to find you, when there do raise questions.”

Dr. Rose smiles: “That’s fine. Be strong, Eve. It’s going to be OK.” After saying that, she leaves the room.

We’re sitting here for another 30 minutes when I hear him moaning. I stand up and hold my head close to his. “Joshua? Are you OK? I’m here, for you.”

His eye starts to open a bit and he asks: “Crissie? Pumpkin?”

He asks for her. I’m starting to get angry, she should’ve been here for him! Angry is filling my body, but I try to contain it. “It’s me, Joshua: Eve.”

I let him wake up. It takes him a few minutes. “Water, please?” His throat must be dry, his voice is cracking.

Adam reaches out to grab the water and gives it to me. I’ll hold it close to his lips, so that he’s able to have a few sips. “Better?” I ask.

Joshua smiles: “Yes, thanks sis.” He looks around and feels with his hand on the bandages. “What did they do?”

Adam answers: “You’ve been in surgery, buddy. Crissie - uhhm - fire hit your face. The doctors have been working on you for more than 5 hours.”

Joshua is listening to Adam. “Then it must be wrong. Tell me the truth…”

Meanwhile, I called the nurse to tell them he’s awake. I look at Adam and say: “I’ll tell him, Adam.” I feel how tears are filling my eyes. “I’m so sorry, Joshua. But your left ear is gone. They couldn’t save it. They’ve tried to recover your left side of your face with skin from your leg. But your ear is gone.”

I look at his face, and I can not tell how he’s taking the information. “Will I be able to hear?”
I shake my head. He sees it: “Oh God..”

I want to grab his hand, but he pushes me away. He’s not saying anything, but I know this is tough on him. A nurse is walking into the room: “Beta! You’re awake, that’s good. I will run some tests, are you feeling well?” she asks.

Adam grabs my hand and says: “We will go to the packhouse to eat something. Joshua, I’ll be back soon, OK?” Joshua is looking at us, and nods. Moon Goddess, it’s something.

We leave the hospital room, I’m relieved. Adam’s walking fast, almost running. “Adam! Please, take it easy. I’ve trouble keeping up with you! What’s wrong?”

Adam eases a bit, growls and he says: “We need to find that crazy b*tch..”