The Warrior's Equal

Chapter Three

The day went by quickly. I was glad to have had the opportunity to actually spar with someone. It made going to gym class exhilarating. After school, I started heading to the clinic. It was probably going to be a slow day, but It was still better than going back to my room.

When I got through the doors, I was hit with the smell of antiseptic and sanitizer. It wasn't the best smell, but it reminded me of happier times.

"Well, Hello Eva, have a good day at school today?" Mrs. Green asked. She was one of the nurses and one of the only ones willing to teach me things and give me duties other than cleaning.

"It went well today, actually," I said, a smile appearing as I thought back to Cal and my invitation to hang with Tara and Ezra.

"Well, that's wonderful, darling. Now, are you willing to deal with Al today? He is being especially ornery and wants to take his meds till he walks. Are you willing to take him outside?" Al was one of the semi-permanent patients here. Ever since his mate died, he has been in and out of the hospital with mysterious injuries. The last one landed him in a wheelchair, and Al was none too thrilled. Usually, it wouldn't take long for a werewolf to heal, but with the loss of his mate and his age, he has only a slightly better regeneration than a human.

"That sounds like Al; I will take him out," I replied, slightly giggling as I remembered the other antics that Al had pulled. Including pretending that he lost his throat, so he wasn't able to take his vitamins. There was never a dull day here.

I walked towards Al's room, making sure to stop by the nurses’ station to stash my bag and grab a belt and gloves. If I knew Al, he would definitely try to stand. The belt was a way to help him without holding his clothes. It was dangerous either way because he was bigger than me, so I couldn't support his weight, but everyone else was busy, so I had to hope that he wouldn't try to do anything.

"Hey, Al!" I chimed.

"Why, hello there, beautiful," he replied. Showing off his pearly whites.

"Mrs. Green told me you were throwing a tantrum today." I joked.

"Well, I had to do something! Otherwise, I would've died in this godforsaken room!" He explained.

“Well, that could have been prevented if you had taken your meds like you are supposed to. You would probably be out jumping and kicking again.” I smirked.

“Wha? Ah, you got me again. Little lady.” Al responded, chuckling slightly under his breath.

“Now, shall we go to the gardens?” I inquired.

“Yes, that would be wonderful, Eva.” He responded. I took the handles of the wheelchair and began turning it around. I made sure his pedals were up, so he could rest his feet; we then walked out of his room and towards the garden door.

“My legs are broken, not my arms,” Al grunted as he showed me a slight sneer.

“I know, I know. I don’t doubt that you are more than capable of getting there yourself. I just don’t want you to have to suffer this boring hallway. Let’s leave it for the garden. It will be more fun then.” I quipped.

“Ha, alright. If you insist.” Al answered. He sat the rest of the way quietly; it seemed he was pondering something. I stayed quiet. It wasn’t my place to ask; I don’t want to push him to talk about only painful memories with everything he has been through.

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon in the garden. Al would tell some bad jokes and sometimes tell stories of his life before he got here. Time moved on like that. Till he was ready to head back to his room. He seemed tired today but less angry at the world. I wonder if he is finally able to accept the death of his mate.

“How was Al today?” Mrs. Green asked.

“He seemed tired, but we had a good time,” I remarked. I started to grab my bag from the nurse’s station and headed out the door.

“Have a good rest of your day!” I cheerily said to Mrs. green.

“” Bye-bye,” She replied as I walked out the door towards home. The walk was brisk, with a slight breeze causing goosebumps to appear on my skin. I started walking quicker, trying to consume my thoughts with the beauty of the outside.

“What a nice night, a slight breeze, but the lamps are on. The forest is..” I stopped my thought process as I heard footsteps close behind me. I turned around, facing the empty street.

“How strange,” I mumbled. I continued walking. Thankfully the orphanage wasn’t that far from the clinic—only a five-minute walk. As I walked into the old building, the door creaked open. To be honest, this orphanage was abandoned a couple years back. I lived in the back of the orphanage next to the communal bathroom and kitchen. I barely used the kitchen, and the other six rooms in the building I never touched. I had a simple bed in a room filled with bunk beds. It was meant to hold six people. I was the only one left.

When the orphanage first shut down, it was only me and three younger pups. They were placed in families immediately after. Because I was older, no family was willing to take me. Not wanting me to be alone, the Director said he would take me in, but his wife disagreed. I think there was some communication issue after that because Luna never came back. As if I had fallen through the cracks, I was forgotten. I was okay though, it’s why I kept busy. I also got food free from school or from setting up breakfast most days. My job gave me enough to find some clothes at thrift stores and the necessary hygienic supplies. The water and electricity were never turned off, so I could take showers and cook if necessary. It wasn’t ideal, but at least I didn’t have to pay for rent; I also made sure to only turn on lights or water when absolutely necessary. Just in case a bill came to the Alpha, and he remembered about this old building and shut off the only necessities I have.

I slowly shut the door behind me; using the glow of the moon, I made my way to the back of the building. Once in my bedroom, I put my backpack down. Finding the candle that I keep near my desk, I light it before reaching into the pack and getting the homework for today. I am already tired and can feel my eyes start to droop before I can read the words on the paper. I have to complete it. It takes a while for me to concentrate my eyes and fully comprehend the words on the page. When that happens, I make quick work of everything given for the day. I don’t know why, but it’s always hard for me to concentrate, but I can go for hours without stopping once I do. It’s kind of a super weird and fickle power.

Homework done, I blow out the candle and head to bed. Covering myself in the duvet and cuddling up to my pillow. Alone with my thoughts, I hope it ends soon, as I start to think of a future where I might be happy and a world that never existed.