Kalysta's POV
I woke up after sleeping for what felt like multiple days. I felt so well rested and was in a great mood right away until I rolled over and placed my hand on the empty spot of my bed where Jakob had been. I sat up and shifted my covers until the blankets were no longer a barrier in my pursuit of getting up I scanned my dark room I found no sign of Jake.
My toes hit the soft carpet and I couldn't help but to rub my feet over the soft mat that my mother had crafted for me. It felt pleasant, comforting even. As I raised my body off of the mattress I was surprised by how my it felt. There was no sign of muscle ache or any pain whatsoever.
I walked to my closet and threw open the double doors so that I could set aside today's attire. Once the clothes were in my hands I stepped across the hall to the humble little shower. The water took a bit longer than normal to heat up. I held my hand under the cold water while I waited for the temp to become comfortable.
In the shower I rinsed the remnants of blood from my hair. It felt like washing away all of David's tyranny. I knew that he would no longer stalk me and that feeling alone was enough to bring on some more good vibes.
After bathing my body I shut off the water and stepped out. With a towel on my head I looked at myself in the mirror. I look exactly the same as I did before the attack. Nothing marred my pale skin. Even an older scar had vanished.
I pulled the towel from my hair, brushed the silky strands, and was braiding it when I tried to call out to Fenix. I can't wait to see her. I love her so much. "Fenix, do ya wanna get some food?"
Again I tried to call her, "Fenix?"
I stared at my reflection in the mirror when suddenly flashbacks began to pour back into my mind.
~Hands chained~
~Hanging~
~Cigarette burns over my breasts~
~Choking~
Fenix was gone.
FENIX WAS GONE!!!!!!!
I slid down to the floor still wrapped in my towel and began to cry. Guilt tore into me as I asked myself how I could have forgotten she was gone? I felt so empty. Hollow.
Missing were my feelings of waking up in a good mood. As I sat on the tiled floor of the small bathroom I felt the cold of the floor radiate from my bottom up into my legs. The four walls of the room seemed to shrink. Looking up I could see the ceiling coming towards me slowly. The tiles on the floor started pushing me up towards the descending roof. Panic shot through me. In my eyes all I could see was my eagle fading away as the claustrophobia beat down on me.
I gave into my fear at that moment. Tears welled up and poured down my face. My nose began to run slightly. I placed my hands over my ears because the sound of my own blood rushing was too loud for me to handle. Rocking back and forth. Back and forth...
"FEEEEEEEEEENIXXXXXXXX!!!!!"
All I needed was for my eagle to come save me. I didn't want Jakob I wanted my bird. She should be here. She is my savior when I can't save myself. SI was sobbing so hard taking a breath was difficult. I was trapped in a small box.
"FENIXXXXXX!"
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JAKOB'S POV
"FEEEEEEEEEENIXXXXXXXX!!!!"
I looked up at the direction the scream came from. Kalysta is awake. Again, another gutteral scream echoed from inside the home.
Instinct lead me to the small bathroom before I could even register that my feet were even moving. Opening the door I found Kalysta curled into a fetal position on the floor in nothing but a towel. Her face was wet from crying, and she appeared to be having an anxiety attack, or perhaps PTSD.
Either way I couldn't blame her. To lose your link is to have half of your soul divided up and cut into little pieces. I'm not sure if I could even survive loosing Onyx. The crabby old feline kept me going and focused on growing my skills and knowledge. In a weird way he reminded me of how Miller treats his many children.
I squatted down next to Kalysta. Rubbing her back with my hand I scooped her up, towel and all, and took her into my room instead of her own. My room was in the tiny home adjacent to hers. Curious glances came from the neighbors but whatever. I rolled my eyes. Irritation hit me because I'm sure the woman weeping in my arms does NOT want an audience at the moment.
I twisted the knob and used my foot to open the door. Once inside I took her into my space and sat down on my bed with her on top of me as I held her shaking form. Adelaide had once explained the pain that people feel when their linkers pass. If a human passes the beast they are linked to usually passes with them. Once bonded links don't just let go. Tragedy sears a scar right thru the middle of the remaining soul left alive. This must be what she is feeling.
Kyrhen knocked slightly at my door. He looked in on his sister, who I had covered up, and said,"I'm going to get Adelaide. She needs to hear what the old woman has to say." He looked at Kalysta. "Hang tight sis. I'm going to get grandmother."
I'm glad he has pulled his head out of his own ass. Kyrhen had made it a habit to let Kalysta down. I guess the whole her almost dying thing fixed that glitch.
Dwelling on my inner monologue I heard a door open. Adelaide came in looking suspiciously buzzed. I was flabbergasted. It is the last thing I would ever have pictured.
Despite the slight impairment she walked into my bedroom gracefully and slowly lowered herself to sit on the edge of the bed with us. She held her arms out to hold Kalysta who leaned into the embrace.
"I spoke to Nature and Time and I feel quite angry with them. This experience has been a painful, and purposeful obstacle that the Gods orchestrated as a way to advance Kalysta, and force you two to begin your journey. My anger is not the point though so I'll save you my ramblings about how unfair they have been to my grandchild." She sneered as she looked up as if straight into the Heavens.
She looked at Kalysta and said, "Raise your head up and look at me. Fenix is not gone but I need you to hear me clearly to understand what I'm about to say."
Jakob's curiosity peaked as she spoke. This must be very big news indeed.
He watched the two of them as his mentor continued on,"Fenix is not gone, however, her physical body is. When she healed you Kalysta her spirit fully joined with yours. She is alive in you. She is weak but soon you will hear her voice again. Think of it like those werewolf stories you read. They all have a wolf inside them that they can hear talking to them."
Adelaide hiccupped and giggled a bit.
"You're a were-eagle! Wait no that doesn't sound right!"
Kalysta and I just started at her as she spoke. We were unsure what to think of the woman in this state, but she did still seem to have useful knowledge.
"Oh well," she carried on, "When Fenix has the strength she will speak to you again. Once able to hear her you will be able to take her form again. In that form Fenix is in control and it is your voice she will hear in her head. Nature mentioned a third form but I had upset her so she declined to explain that further."
Adelaide shrugged. Once she had finished I seriously contemplated what she had drank and where she kept such an concoction.
Kalysta placed her hand over her heart. I barely heard her whisper the eagle's name. Looking up she spoke, "I'm still incredibly sad but that has given me some comfort."
She hugged her great great grandmother tightly and said, "Thank you."
Adelaide stood up from the bed. She smiled at us while we remained sitting. "I have no issue yelling at celestial beings if they decide to mess with you two in a bad way again. You are both my most prized pupils and I'm proud of you. I dare those God's to try anymore funny business with you. I'll go up and smite them for a change!"
My face paled after hearing the old woman say that. Anxiety shot through me. Her wisdom must fade with alcohol. I looked up and asked them to, "Please don't strike her with lightening on her way home. She's just protective."
I sincerely hope she doesn't provoke the gods into further harassing us in "purposeful" ways. It is not a good time.