Blinded

By the next morning I wasn’t feeling so great. My head felt like it would explode. I had the chills and I knew I was going to have to call in. Worse of all Skylar was probably going to think I was lazing about sleeping and not actually sick. I rolled over and reached for the phone. My head wavered. My vision faded and blurred and my stomach, lacking contents, was not rumbling for hunger sake. I dropped back down and waited before trying again with the same result. I heard a whine and looked down to see a blurry mass of white. Lucas was sitting, his head propped on the edge of the bed looking at me. I reached over and brushed my fingers through his fur.

“I think I left the phone in the living room,” I murmured. “I don’t suppose you could fetch just this once for me.”

Lucas turned from me and I tried to chuckle. I doubted he would do as asked. He never did. I sighed and tried to lift myself over the edge of the bed. I didn’t have any strength. My arms didn’t hold me up and I tumbled over the edge. In a pile on the floor I looked to the door. My eyesight was barely able to make out the shape in the doorway. As Lucas drew near I noted his fur didn’t seem as long. His snout was shorter too. I closed my eyes and reopened them to see shorter ears. I blamed my poor head, or the fact I was dreaming as I fell back asleep against my will. I didn’t even realize the phone had made it to my hand. I did briefly hear the calling of my name and thought it was a handsome voice if ever I did hear one.

When some consciousness returned to me I felt pain. There was an ache to my head and a searing stab in my abdominal. I couldn’t remember where I was or what happened. Pain radiating told me I was alive. I tried to ignore it. It propelled its way into my every pour. I tried to shut myself off. Feel nothing, I told myself. It didn’t work. I could only pick up on a few things. I was on a soft surface, probably a bed and had a pillowed head. Flowing air told me a fan was on, I could hear the low hum. It droned on and put me back to sleep.

I regained consciousness again, this time screaming. The pain had worsened; it had intensified into a burning fire that coursed through my entire body. I tried to move my arms to comfort myself. Whatever was causing the pain was paralyzing me too. I could not hear or feel anything until I blacked out. When I woke again I felt numb. The pain was there, a dull ache, controlled. It gave me time to think. What was wrong with me? Where was I? Why did everything feel so heavy? I couldn’t open my eyes. I barely felt my fingers wiggle. I tried to swallow and detected dryness at the back of my throat. Something pulled at my head and neck. I was being propped up and the rim of a glass was pressed against my lips. I greedily opened my mouth and gulped what I could.

A voice rang through my ears. It was nothing more than a soft coo from a distance. “Careful, don’t let her take too much at once, it could make her sick.”

The glass was taken away, too soon in my opinion. My head was placed back down on the soft pillow gently. Over and over I tried opening my mouth. Words would not form to ask for more. My tired body succumbed to the world of sleep.

Once more I woke and was unable to move. The sound of steady steps moved towards me. To my right a weight sunk the surface I laid on. I assumed someone was sitting beside me. Family? Friend? I wanted to open my eyes. The heavenly, baritone voice I had heard before called my name in a whisper. I cursed the stupidity of my brain and body for not functioning properly. All I wanted was to open my eyes. There was a gentle motion across the top of my head. Someone was soothing out my hair and it plummet me into the silence of sleep.

Time was no concern to me in my state. I couldn’t worry about such things, even if I wanted to. Rather than dreams I experienced memories of my past. Particularly the time just after my father’s passing. I was angry then, always angry, at everyone. I was a child and didn’t understand why my father had to be taken from me. Other girls’ fathers returned. My family received a box. Sure they told me he had been brave. Served his country well. A hero. Metals of honor, bravery, valor. What did that matter to a little girl? I had made a promise. We would celebrate our birthdays together. How could I not be allowed to keep that promise? My most precious promise had been broken against my will and that angered me the most.

My anger eventually shifted. It took time. Skylar helped. He was always around with Tabbi to help mother out. He took me to events when mother couldn’t. I tried to be polite. It wasn’t until after my sixteenth birthday I realized the importance of his job. Saw him on the front lines with a high school friend. Gave a voice to her when she felt she didn’t have one. I wanted to do that. Help angered, saddened, and hurt children. I nagged him day and night about what I had to do. What courses? What school? He would reply over and over it was a tough job. I knew now it really was a tough job. It ate at you. Took pieces of you because of all the bad you saw. Yet it was worth it when you saw all the good it did. I never regretted my decision. I had yet to tell Skylar that. I needed to clear the air. He knew he was my role model. I had thank him for the act he played after my father’s death. I had never told him I didn’t look back after getting my degree. I loved my job. Thanks to him I was doing good in the world.

I continued to drift, back and forth in no certain order. I was conscious enough at times to know I was not at my apartment, nor was I at a hospital. Someone male tended to me and another male was also present at times. The first male would call to me and tell me to rest. I really wished someone would be more aggressive with me. I wanted to wake up, not sleep.

Just before father had died, before he had even gone off on tour, Basil had a cat. It often climbed the tree out front. Sometimes it would get itself stuck. Usually father or Skylar would get a long ladder and assist the cat down. The adults were busy when it happened again late one summer. I told Basil I would fetch the cat myself. I climbed up the tree, shimming all the way to the large branch at the top. Branch by branch I helped the cat down. I had just reached the last branch before the seven or eight feet drop when I slipped. I held on as long as I could. Basil ran into the house to get someone. I called out to father over and over. He didn’t make it in time and I fell, hitting my head on a large root. Father sat beside my bed all night, mother would tell me later. I told him I was fine when I did wake. He apologized for not being there. I never blamed him. I remember asking him to answer one question. How long had I slept for? He told me less than a day. It felt like months to me. I thought it odd. Most people say they wake up and it feels like minutes had passed. I had never experienced that. This time was no different.

Finally I opened my eyes. I was appreciative for the dimmed light. My head felt heavy and my limbs ached from the lack of movement. No one was in the room, at least not at first. The ajar door opened wide to reveal a tall man standing in the threshold. I was blinded by the bright light and covered my eyes to stop the sting. I saw nothing more than a silhouette of a very fit man.

“Sorry,” he nearly whispered and I heard the soft click of the door. He had stepped in and shut the door behind him. I looked over my hand to see him drawing near. “It’s nice to see you awake and alert.”

I stared. It was hard not to. I recognized this man. I couldn’t remember where I had seen him before. I didn’t know him. I didn’t reply. My throat felt dry. My voice was sure to be raspy. I looked around the room instead. A simple twin size bed, blue bedding, a wardrobe off to the side, an end table, a tray at the foot of the bed, and chair on my other side.

“How long?” I finally managed.

“A couple days... okay well just under a week.”

I shook my head and ran my fingers through my hair. It was greasy and oily feeling from sweating. I silently took in the features of my visitor. The light casted dark shadows over his face. I could make out pure white hair, not off white or blond but actual white, as if it had aged, yet the man in front of me didn’t look much older than me. He really did look oddly familiar with his slender nose and high cheek bones. His eyes were a light blue... suddenly I was reminded of the doctor. He looked just like Ike. Only younger.

“Who are you?” I whispered. It was the most I could manage. I needed a drink. I wanted answers more.

“Before I answer that, what is the last thing you remember?”

I had to think longer than I liked on that. Technically the last thing I remember was a snippet of a memory. What had I been doing before I slept? “I had a cold. I woke up with a really bad cold.”

“And?”

“That’s it... oh no, my dog has anyone been taking care of him. Where is he? Where am I for that matter?” I tried to get up when I felt hands push me down. The man had a hand on each of my shoulders. He had rose up so swiftly and gotten to his feet so he could face me. I stared at him. Blue eyes. White hair. White fur... shortening. A face in my dreams I didn’t know but was now in front of me. It was crazy. I was going crazy. Or else I was still dreaming. I continued to stare. “Lucas... are you... are you Lucas?”

The smile painted on his face brightened the room. It was beyond beautiful and nearly distracting. I suddenly had more questions than I had started with. I opened my mouth but Lucas put a finger to my lips. “I am sure you will feel much better if you have had a chance to bathe and put proper food in your stomach. Then and only then will I answer your every question.”

It was better than nothing. I watched as Lucas walked to the door and peered out. He spoke to someone and then looked over his shoulder. The hallway was dark now. Someone had turned out the lights so the bright light wouldn’t shine into the room. “Any request for dinner?” Lucas asked from over his shoulder? I shook my head.

Two women arrived to help me to the bathroom. I hadn’t noticed the door to the attached room from the angle of my bed. I could just barely hold myself up. I wasn’t sure if the women were maids or nurses. Either way they knew what they were doing and in no time I felt a lot better. My hair was washed, dried and combed. I was escorted back to the bed where the women told me to wait while they retrieved the young master. That confirmed that despite the pure white gowns they were maids. I found a glass of water had been placed on the tray and a pitcher. I pulled the tray closer and took controlled sips. I didn’t dare lay back. I didn’t want to sleep again. I didn’t wait long before Lucas returned. His eyes brightened when he saw me.

“Back to normal, almost,” he exclaimed as he approached.

“Almost?”

“You’ve lost a bit of weight. You’re still beautiful of course.”

“Listen... um...” It was hard to call him Lucas. Lucas had been my dog. Now he was human? Well not quite. Humans didn’t turn into dogs or the other way around. “Lucas, this is all new and strange and I just want you to be honest. Have you kidnapped me? Are you pampering me before I become you’re next victim?” The recent kidnappings popped into mind. I was in the age group. I didn’t have dark hair or eyes but one of the other girls did have the unique green eye characteristic.

“Victim?”

“Are you planning on killing me?”

“I just spent the last six days watching over you, helping you so you wouldn’t die. Why would I kill you? Don’t start thinking I am a psychopath.”

“It’s just this is very odd considering everything that has happened. Besides, why not take me to a hospital?”

“I know you don’t like them. I don’t either. Plus a human hospital wouldn’t have been able to help.”

I blinked once, twice, three times before I decided I had to question the way he worded that sentence. “Human hospital, meaning you are not one. Human that is, you’re not human. Of course not, stupid me, stupid question. Humans can’t become dogs and dogs don’t turn into humans. ” I was thinking in circles. With answers few and far between it was hard not to think that way. Lucas chuckled. It was deep and filled with joy, yet I felt insulted. How could he laugh at me when I was simply trying to make sense of the mess I was suddenly in? “Maybe you could just tell me why I am here. That might help this along a little faster.”

“First a light supper, as agreed, for you haven’t had anything real to eat in a while, then we will talk. I am afraid he won’t let you have anything more than jell-o and broth for now but our chef is amazing so I am sure it will taste delightfully delicious.”

My lips tightened as I tried to hold my tongue. I waited for my tray to be delivered. He placed it on my lap and I stared at the simplicity. I didn’t mind. Anything was better than nothing. However, I still wanted answers. I looked up at Lucas. “Look could you at least tell me what you are? I won’t ask further questions after that.”

“I know you too well Kale. I have lived with you long enough. Of course you will ask more questions and you won’t stop until every piece of information you can gather is tucked away in that pretty little head of yours. I won’t say another word until you’ve properly taken care of yourself. Unless you want me to feed you.” Lucas shook his head. He looked surprised.

“Is your name really Lucas?”

“Yes,” he said with a smile. “I have other names but mother and father named me Lucas upon my birth.”

“What are your other names?”

“This is what I was trying to prevent. Once you have one answer you want ten more. Eat.”

I was beginning to believe more and more this was my dog. He had a way of staring at me without turning away. I felt like I was being observed just the same as the first day Lucas had been given to me. Dog Lucas that was. Under the scrutiny of Lucas I picked at the jell-o and sipped the broth. I looked up on occasion and would find Lucas still staring at me. Each time he would give me a smile, which was more than I could say for dog Lucas. It was a little nerve racking to eat with someone paying such close attention to my every move. I told myself to ignore it. He probably knew no other way after being a dog for so long. I concentrated on each bite and my tray until I finished the last morsel. I looked up one last time to see Lucas retrieve the dishes.

“Now will you tell me?”