Azaria's Point of View
Pain. That is all I feel.
Today began like any other day, with the familiar throb of a migraine gnawing at the back of my skull. I'd grown used to the pain over the years—almost welcomed it in a sick, twisted way. At least it was predictable. But today, something was different—something was wrong. This wasn't just a migraine. It was a storm, gathering strength in the darkest corners of my mind, waiting to devour me.
The air in the library felt thick, almost suffocating, as if the very walls were pressing in on me. The scent of old books, normally a comfort, now clawed at my senses, overwhelming me. The towering shelves seemed to loom over me, the shadows they cast growing darker, more menacing. I tried to focus on the text in front of me, ancient runes etched into the yellowed pages, but the words swirled and danced, their meaning slipping away.
I couldn't focus, couldn't breathe.
The pain behind my eyes was relentless, a sharp, stabbing pressure that seemed to intensify with every passing second. My hands trembled as I tried to steady myself, gripping the edge of the table until my knuckles turned white. Breathe, just breathe. But the more I tried to calm myself, the more the pain seemed to feed off my panic.
Something inside me was, shifting.
The migraine was no longer a dull, familiar ache—it had become a living, breathing thing, tearing through my mind like a beast. Each pulse of pain sent shockwaves through my skull, as if something was clawing its way out from the depths of my consciousness. I felt the heat begin to spread, starting at the base of my spine and radiating outward, seeping into my bones.
I gasped, doubling over, my hands flying to my stomach as a new, more intense wave of agony hit me. My vision blurred, dark spots dancing in front of my eyes, and the library—the one place I had always felt safe—became a prison.
It was as though the world itself was twisting around me, the air thickening with unseen pressure. Every breath felt labored, every heartbeat a struggle. The burning sensation in my veins intensified, and I could almost feel something crawling beneath my skin, writhing like serpents trying to break free.
"What… what is this?" I whispered, my voice a hoarse rasp as I clutched my abdomen.
I wanted to scream, to cry out for help, but the words stuck in my throat, choking me. Instead, a low, guttural sound escaped my lips—a whimper of pure, unfiltered terror. The pain was unbearable now, an unrelenting force that consumed every part of me. It felt as if my body was tearing itself apart from the inside out.
Suddenly, my legs buckled, and I crumpled to the cold stone floor, my body convulsing as another wave of heat surged through me. The stone was cool beneath my cheek, offering a brief, fleeting respite from the inferno raging inside me, but it wasn't enough. Nothing could ease this pain. It was too much. Too much.
I can't… I can't survive this.
Panic surged through me, my heart racing, pounding so violently I thought my chest might explode. The fire beneath my skin felt like it was alive, sentient—gnawing away at me, devouring me inch by inch. My limbs twitched uncontrollably, spasms wracking my body as I fought to keep control. But control was slipping away.
The darkness at the edge of my vision began to close in, tightening its grip, suffocating me. Every sound seemed distant, muffled, like I was underwater. My own gasps for air echoed hollowly in my ears, and the once-familiar sounds of the library became distorted, warped.
I needed help, but I couldn't move. I couldn't call out.
I was trapped inside my own body, helpless as the agony tore through me. My thoughts scattered like leaves in a storm, spinning out of control. I could feel something inside me—something dark, something ancient—stirring, waking from a long-forgotten slumber.
Then, through the haze of pain, I heard it—a voice, deep and familiar, cutting through the fog.
"Luna?"
It was Gamma Theo. His voice was low, laced with concern, and his footsteps were heavy as he approached. I couldn't see him—my vision was too blurred, the room too dark—but I could feel his presence. Strong. Steady. Safe.
I tried to respond, to tell him what was happening, but the words were lost, trapped beneath the weight of the pain. All I could do was lie there, shaking, my breath coming in ragged gasps as the fire inside me continued to burn.
Gamma Theo knelt beside me, his large, warm hands gently lifting me into his arms. His touch was grounding, pulling me back from the edge of the abyss. For a brief moment, the agony subsided, replaced by the overwhelming relief of not being alone.
"I've got you," he whispered, his voice steady despite the worry in his eyes. "I'm taking you to the hospital."
He moved quickly, cradling me against his chest as he carried me out of the library and into the cool night air. The sudden change in temperature was a shock to my system, the cold biting into my skin, but it wasn't enough to quell the fire raging within me. I could feel every beat of Theo's heart, strong and rhythmic, a lifeline I clung to as the world around me blurred into nothing.
The sound of the packhouse seemed so far away—laughter, voices, the normalcy of everyday life—yet it felt like another world. A world I no longer belonged to.
The pain was growing worse, spreading like wildfire through my veins. My body convulsed, and I whimpered, my head lolling against Theo's chest as he quickened his pace. His grip tightened, his breathing coming in short, sharp bursts as he pushed forward, determined to get me to safety.
I could feel his fear—the tension in his muscles, the slight tremor in his hands. Theo was always so controlled, so sure of himself, but now, even he didn't know what to do. The thought sent a fresh wave of panic crashing over me, and I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to block out the searing pain, the helplessness.
When the pack hospital came into view, Theo didn't hesitate. He barreled through the front doors, his voice booming as he called out for help.
"Sally! Doc! I need help—now!"
His words echoed through the sterile hallway, and I heard the hurried footsteps of the pack's medical team approaching. But even their presence couldn't ease the dread gnawing at my gut. Something was wrong. Terribly wrong.
Theo gently placed me on the hospital bed, his touch lingering for a moment before he stepped back, his dark eyes filled with worry. He didn't say anything, but I could see the fear etched into every line of his face. The fear of losing me.
Lilly was the first to reach me, her graceful movements belying the urgency in her eyes. "What happened?" she asked, her voice calm but laced with concern.
"She collapsed in the library," Theo said, his voice tight. "Something's not right. This isn't normal."
Lilly's brow furrowed as she examined me, her hands moving over my body with practiced efficiency. Sally appeared at my side, her face etched with worry as she placed cool cloths on my burning skin.
"She's burning up," Sally muttered, her voice low. "We need to bring her temperature down, fast."
I tried to speak, to tell them what I was feeling, but my throat felt like it was closing up, the words caught in a tangle of pain. The fire in my veins was unbearable now, each pulse of my heart sending fresh waves of agony coursing through me. It felt like my body was tearing itself apart from the inside.
"What's happening to me?" I finally managed to choke out, my voice barely above a whisper.
Lilly glanced down at me, her face softening with concern. "We don't know yet, Luna," she said gently. "But we're going to figure it out. You're strong—you can get through this."
But I wasn't so sure. The pain was too intense, too all-consuming. It felt like something more than just a physical ailment. It was as if my very soul was being torn apart, piece by piece.
I could hear Theo pacing just outside the room, his heavy footsteps a constant reminder that I wasn't alone. But even his presence wasn't enough to quell the fear gnawing at me. Whatever was happening inside me—it wasn't something that could be fixed with medicine.
The darkness at the edges of my vision began to close in, pulling me under, but I fought to hold on. I couldn't give in. Not yet. Not until I knew what was happening to me.
But as the pain intensified, as the fire inside me raged hotter and hotter, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the end—if the pain will consume me whole.