I'm Okay!, Nghi Montero-Duong [large screen ebook reader txt] 📗

can deal with those later. I sat down and grabbed the tray of food next to me. I picked up the spoon and ate the gruel that was in the bowl. At that moment the gruel tasted like the best thing in the world. The gruel was warm and it seemed to melt on my tongue. This was obviously because I was starved. Wolf was a bit hungry as well apparently, because he grabbed the red apple and chomped on it. The juice was dripping down onto his chin. The chomp was loud and when he opened his mouth you could see his canines. They were sharpened to the very point.

Andy, being the motherly kind, grabbed a napkin off the tray and wiped Wolf's face. Wolf struggled a bit with the wiping. It was slightly strange to see it happen but it was nice to see them get along. I was distracted by all this that I just remembered. Why should I be happy when William died? He deserves to be here and smile and laugh. I took everything away from him. A small tear went down my cheek and I struggled to hold back my sobs.

Wolf looked at me with alarm. "What's wrong? Are you okay?" Wolf cradled me in his arms like I was but a mere child. I continued to sob into his chest. Andy was rubbing my back slowly whispering. "It's alright. Don't worry." He continued to soothe me. I was no longer sobbing. I was gently put down on the bed. The last thing I saw was Wolf and Andy go to the door and with a small creak they opened and closed the door behind them leaving me alone, enveloped in the strangely reassuring darkness, breathing slowly into a gentle sleep.

A bloody, beaten body was swimming in a pool of crimson red blood. It's eyes looking at me, not seeing me. It's mouth shivering, with a drop of blood flowing down, mouthing the words: "Why are you still living? Why did you leave me alone? Weren't we supposed to be together, forever?" It's arm shot out and grabbed me as I tried to run away. I woke in a puddle of sweat. I might have well been sleeping in a bathtub. I couldn't understand why I was remembering this now of all times. No, I understood completely. The dead body was William's. I was shutting William out on purpose. I am such a despicable person.

I sat sobbing and just couldn't get back to sleep. I sat and cried, remembering everything I didn't want to remember. How am I going to live knowing I was responsible for all this? I don't deserve to be with Andy and Wolf. They are both so sweet and kind. How can I be so selfish? I packed the few things I had and left with a bitter feeling in my mouth, tears dripping down my cheek and leaving behind my heart, I cast everything aside...

I went deep into the forest and crept carefully across the small bridge that seemed to barely carry a squirrel, into a clearing in the forest. The moon's light hit the middle of the clearing with such perfection that it highlighted the bright small flowers. It looked like an image in a storybook. I loved the small clearing. I had found this clearing years before this incident. I didn't believe it existed because I had only visited this place in my dreams with Wolf.

I wanted to stay here but I couldn't. Wolf would find me. I walked farther along into the forest. The owls hooted and everything seemed to have a haunted appearance. I kept walking until I found a small cave. I walked up to the mouth and looked about the area. I had learned that an animal marked an area that they lived in, like a cave. I found no scratches or clumps of fur outside the mouth of the den. I decided to explore the cave and take the risk of finding an animal inside. Not. Would you be able to walk into a cave that could possibly house a bear or a lynx or a tiger? Give me a break, I know this isn't Asia or South America but, still!

I needed to stay someplace. This was the best option there was. As I walked into the cave I saw two small wolf pups. They were play-fighting. One of them was a light grey and the second was slightly smaller and it had a light brown coat. This suprised me. I was barely five feet behind the pups. By now the parents would have attacked me. These were either orphan pups or their parents had gone off hunting.

I walked up to the light brown pup, knelt down and pet it on it's head. It looked at me with it's wide eyes. To my surprise, it's eyes were two seperate colors. I had read that this was known as heterochromia. One eye was the same color as it's coat and the other was red. When I had looked at the other pup it had the same eyes. What scared me the most about these pups was how they were completely accustomed to human contact.

"If you guys don't have any fear for humans you could be betrayed," I warned "It is a lot better to be like a lone wolf or a wary cat." I spoke with a sharp pain in my chest and a heavy feeling in my voice. A small, sweet female voice echoed within my mind. "Are you okay?" The voice was timid and it took me no time in realizing it was from the light brown pup. I looked at her with surprise. "What's your name?" I know this is strange. Why would someone interact with a talking pup? In all reality though, I had seen a lot of stranger things

 "I haven't been named." She said this with a small whimper. Another voice chimed in. This deeper voice also reverberated in my head. "She's just a big crybaby!" This voice had a mocking tone. He was her older brother, the light grey pup. I turned to him and pouted. "Aren't you two siblings? You need to stick together." He looked up at me with surprise. He growled quietly but lowered his tail submissively. I giggled at how fierce he was for such a young pup.

"Yep, it's decided!" I was excited for what had come to mind. "I can name the both of you!" I waved my hands in the air waiting for the reactions. They looked at the ground and whimpered quietly. I smiled softly, atleast I think I did. "It's fine. If you don't like the name we can brainstorm some better ones." I waited to see if they would agree with this. "Okay!" They spoke reluctantly but I could see how they were glad.

"I want a nice, simple name." She spoke timidly. I wanted her to be more confident. To change her personality I want to give her a great name. "You can be Artemis!" I cried. "Artemis was a strong, confident goddess." I loved Greek mythology. Actually, I loved all kinds of mythology. "And since you are Artemis," I tapped her small, wet, black nose. "Your brother shall be Apollo!" I flashed a smile in his direction. He had a strange look on his face. He had the kind of face I put on when I asked for a puppy and got mittens on Christmas. Utter disapointment.

 "I don't wanna be named after some guy I don't know." He lifted his muzzle arrogantly and snorted. "Um," The newly named pup, Artemis, said. "I actually kind of like my name." I smiled and lifted them both up unto my lap. "There's nothing wrong with not liking your name. Just wait until you grow up, at that time you will realise how important and special it is." I looked down at them and rubbed my cheek on their small heads. It felt warm with them in my arms. Very soon I will need to leave. Staying the night wouldn't hurt though, right? I slept with them curled up, sleeping next to me. I smiled and did my best not to laugh when Apollo moved closer to me, seeking warmth. I was enveloped by a warm, peaceful sleep and sighed contentedly.

The light came pouring into the cave softly. I moaned with annoyance, turning away from the light. Artemis was whining slightly, most likely because she was trying to get Apollo off of me. "Get up, human!" I cannot believe Apollo just called me that. I sat up quickly and knocked Apollo off of me. "My name is Charlotte!" I couldn't stand when someone called me something that wasn't my name. "Hmm... So you finally got up.... Charlotte." He was shocked at my little outburst but he accepted it and said my name. He looked adorable!

I gave them both a pat on their head and stretched my arms above my head. I turned my head to speak to them. "Is there a place where I can wash up?" I questioned. I was still tired and my body, not wanting to stand anymore, fell next to them.

Apollo stared at me before saying quietly, "Clean freak." I stared at him until finally laughing uncontrollably. Artemis looked at me with what appeared to be a shocked look. I was able to reign in my emotions and gave a small sigh. "I'm not a clean freak. I just don't like the idea of exploring an area I don't know, that could be filled with dangerous animals, while smelling like food!" I actually did smell like food. It was what I had ate before I left.

Apollo gave me a look before sniffing me. Artemis seemed curious and followed her brother's lead. "You kinda smell like porridge... and... an animal." Artemis voiced her opinion which was soon followed by Apollo's, "Hey, you're right!" I just sat there in between the two, pouting. It was slightly frustrating to not know what they were thinking. I continued to pout until Artemis peeked up at me and nudged Apollo to follow her gaze.

"You should let me in on the conversation too! I could possibly know what animal or creature it could be. It is my body and I should know who I was and was not around." I stooped down to have a conversation within eye-level. "It's strange. The smell is strong yet faint at the same time...While it can be overbearing like a warning it's also subtle as though only certain animals should be affected." I stared at Apollo in awe. He was very bright when he wanted to be. I could see Artemis give her brother a wolfy-like grin. Then she grabbed hold of the reins firing questions at me before I could completely comprehend them, "Where you in the presence of any canines or felines? They would be able to create a scent as strong as this. Wait, I forgot it was also subtle...Did you meet any strange creatures? Maybe a hybrid of an animal? Did you come in contact with any chemicals which could have altered the scent?"

This seemed like a daunting task to have all of the questions answered, especially when she continued to speak without pause. Artemis seemed like a completely different person, er, wolf. I answered the questions as best as I could. "I was at the hospital before I came here so there is a possiblity of coming in contact with someone who is going through animal therapy. I am also surrounded by medication of different kinds so there is a possibility of an alteration of scent. Still, I haven't made direct contact with anyone other than my brother, Andy, and Wolf, my childhood friend," I looked at my hands, counting the possibilities with my fingers. "Other than that, I haven't been in contact with any other people or animals, you two aside, that is."

"Hm." Apollo looked at me suspiciously but when he caught my gaze he quickly turned.