“Who are you?” Unfortunately my attempt at intimidation didn't work. Instead my voice came out as a frightened squeak. I forced my eyes open.
A human.
“Relax, no one’s going to hurt you,” he said gently. “My name is Nick. What’s yours?”
“Liam,” I replied. I looked around. “What is this place?”
“This is the fire station,” another new voice chimed in. I whipped around to see another human male around the same age as the first. My first instinct was caution, but their expressions were gentle and I didn’t sense any malice coming from either of them. I tried to relax.
“Don’t worry, this is Dan. He’s one of us,” Nick said. “Liam, do you remember what happened to you?”
“I don’t know,” I said, shaking my head. “I was just out trying to find food and I came back to my den, and… I think I fell asleep. There was a lot of smoke.” My brows furrowed. “Was there a fire?”
Nick and Dan exchanged glances.
“Yes,” Nick said. “You were inside a building while it was burning.”
My heart leapt into my throat. I looked at my hands, and found my palms dirty and raw. My body felt sore, and a tickling cough lingered in my lungs.
“What happened? Why…” I shook the fuzzy feeling out my mind. “Why was there a fire? I didn’t cook anything and I don’t smoke.”
“We’re looking into that,” Dan assured. “We can’t say for sure yet, though.”
Nick nodded. “Anyway, all that matters now is that you’re safe.”
I sighed. “Yeah.” I stood, ignoring the weakness in my knees, and headed for the door.
“Wait,” Dan sputtered. “Where are you going?”
“Away,” I said simply.
“You can’t leave now!” Dan said.
“He’s right,” Nick added sternly. “First of all, you’re in no condition to go anywhere. You need to be monitored.”
“I’m fine,” I protested, although I knew there was no use. Humans were so fussy when it came to situations like this. I wondered if I could sneak away without them noticing, but all eyes were on me. Maybe they’d both fall asleep and I could leave…
A door slammed open. The atmosphere of the room suddenly changed. A big burly man with dark hair and eyes stood in the doorway. Power radiated off his muscular – and somehow familiar – body.
He stood barely two feet away from me. I swallowed hard.
“What’s all this?” he grunted. His eyes bore down into mine. I couldn’t wrench my gaze away. “So, you’re up.”
I stammered but was unable to respond.
“You’re not leaving. Not yet.” He gestured to the couch I’d just gotten up from. “Sit down.”
The strength of his aura was overwhelming. Without thinking I walked back to the couch and sat down, still unable to take my eyes off him.
Who is this man?
“Victor, do you mind taking over watch?” Nick asked. “I didn’t want to leave Liam alone until he woke up, but I’m sure he’ll be more comfortable with you, anyway.”
Don’t make assumptions for me!
The big man, Victor, paused but then nodded. “Fine. You two get some rest. You did well today.”
Nick and Dan exchanged grins at Victor’s praise and clapped him on the back as they left the room. Once they were gone, the air seemed tight and hot. Silence fell, and the dreadfully slow tick of the analogue clock seemed to stretch on forever.
