She was lying on a hard wooden floor, a thin blanket draped over her naked body.
The room was dark, the only light coming from a small window set high up in the wall. There were scratch marks covering the floor, and a pile of small bones in the corner.
"Oh God," Deepa groaned, clutching her head. The memories were flooding back to her, the attack in the parking lot, the infection, Parker...
"Parker," she whimpered as her face went numb, tears gathering in her eyes.
If Infection Control captured him then he'd certainly be dead. They couldn't risk letting any of the infected live, even if they were one of their best officers.
He was gone.
"I'm so sorry," Deepa sobbed, her shoulders shaking with grief. She should have stayed and fought for him instead of running away like a coward.
Deepa buried her face in her hands, her body racked with sobs. This was it. It was only a matter of time before Infection Control killed her, or she was driven mad by the wolf that had been forced inside her head.
"You're finally awake," said a gentle female voice.
There was a woman peering in at Deepa through the window. She was in her mid fifties, with long dark hair and olive skin, dressed in a casual T-shirt and jeans that certainly weren't Infection Control uniform.
"Who are you?" Deepa asked warily.
"I'm Vanessa," she said with a smile. "I'm the one who found you."
"Found me?" Deepa repeated, her eyes darting around the room, searching for any way of escape, but the door was covered in locks.
"You're safe," Vanessa reassured her. "This is a safe place for people like us."
"People like us?"
"Werewolves. I've been working with them for years, trying to help them adjust. Most people think I'm crazy, but it's worth it to see the looks on their faces when they realize they're not alone."
"I... I don't understand," Deepa said, her voice shaking.
Vanessa chuckled. "There's a lot to take in, but I promise I'll explain everything."
Vanessa unbolted the door, handing Deepa a change of clothes then patiently waiting outside until Deepa had changed.
"Thank you." Deepa adjusted the large black hoodie she was wearing, it was a few sizes too big and the denim jeans were tight around her thighs.
"No problem," Vanessa smiled. "Are you hungry?"
"No," Deepa lied.
"You should eat something," Vanessa urged. "It'll make you feel better."
"I'm fine, really."
Vanessa nodded, leading Deepa down a dark hall filled with other cells. There were howls and the scratching of claws against walls.
"You don't have to worry about getting attacked," Vanessa explained. "The doors are designed to hold back the most powerful werewolves."
"So you lock them up?" Deepa frowned.
"Just until they come back to their senses, then we help them get back on their feet."
"Why?" Deepa clenched her fists. "Why would you do that?"
Vanessa stopped, turning to look at her. "Because no one else will. You've seen what Infection Control does to people like us. We have to stick together."
