Chapter 6 A Positive Tick

Rasima's eyes fluttered open, her muscles were crazily weak. She squinted her eyes, trying to adjust to the brightness of the room. And gazing up at the ceiling, she could tell she wasn't home.

Slowly, she looked around and noticed she was on drip. It became clear that she was at a hospital.

Her head still ached, although her fever had subsided a little. She wondered where her mum was as the room was empty.

Her flight! She suddenly recalled. Goodness! What was the time? She couldn't miss that flight for anything.

She ran her gaze around for her bag or phone, but could find none. Probably, her mum was with it. But where was she?

Rasima wanted to sit up, but the pains from her joint wouldn't permit her. And it became worst when the scene of the argument she had with her sister came stinging at her.

"Urgh..."She grunted painfully, tossing to her left side.

A tear came rolling down the corners of her left eye as she recalled Kylie's words:

'Maybe, you're right. Maybe, badluck really lurks around you each time you're here. Now, I think everything here happened because of you. You bring nothing but badluck wherever you go'.

'You killed dad! You caused his death!'

Fresh pain stung hard at her at the thought of the words. They were the most painful; the most horrible she's ever had to hear in the last ten years.

Her tears doubled as she forced herself to recall the terrible incidence - the worst night of her life.

She was her father's bestfriend, and so was he to her. He truly loved them both, but Kylie always felt she was his favorite for no reason.

That evening, Rasima had been craving some steak. Oh! She blamed her self for it. But taking an evening stroll with her father to get something was something they had been doing. It was nothing new. Unknown to her, that particular evening was meant to be different.

Her father dressed her up and walked out with her, going down the street to find some steak. Back then, he was always ready to do anything for her.

They had barely gone far from the house when some animals - wolves - rushed out of nowhere and pounced on him. Rasima screamed her lungs out and trying helping in the little way she could. But she was only thirteen and could do nothing against three wolves. Instead, she sustained a scratch on her neck from one of them.

In agony, she watched them devour her father. In agony, she watched them leave, only after they had left him in blood.

With her wounded neck, Rasima ran away to get help. She ran all the way to the house, crying and calling out to her mum and siblings. She was able to get them, took them to the scene of the incidence and they rushed him to the hospital. But he was long dead before they even arrived.

Rasima had been broken for it. Twice, she attempted suicide but was rescued by her brother. It got so bad, her mum had to keep her on twenty four hours watch.

They tried getting justice for his death - went to the Alpha King but the late Alpha Alphose had refused to do nothing. He made no effort to find the killers, no one did - despite how devoted her father had been to the pack.

That day, Rasima grew to hate the wolves so deeply. She swore to hate them until her last breath and considered every one of them murderers. Each time she looked at a wolf, she blamed that person for her father's death. At that point, she became thankful she didn't have any trait of them. That was the biggest gift their so called goddess had given to her - the same goddess that couldn't save her father.

...

By the time Rasima was done recalling the story, her cheeks had been fully streaked with tears. She sniffed repeatedly and used her arm to dab her tears.

Just then,the door opened with her mother walking in.

"Oh, my! You're awake!" Mrs Chantal said with so much relief as she hurried towards her.

"Oh, dear. Thank goodness. How're you feeling?"

Rasima could only bob her head.

"So sorry I wasn't here when you woke up. Was talking with the doctor and he said your results will be here soon. Do you feel better?"

"I do", Rasima muttered.

There was a brief silence. Rasima could see how tired her mother was. The whole drama was too much for the woman.

"I spoke with Miles. He strongly wishes to be here, but you know...he can't leave work again", Mrs Chantal said.

"I understand."

Rasima thought of Kylie. To think she was nowhere in the room...

Obviously, she didn't care if she lived or died.

Mrs Chantal got hold of her hand and squeezed it lightly in hers.

"I'm so sorry, Rasima", she sobbed. "So sorry you have such memory with you - such stigma. I know what happened that night is a pain that can never be taken away. But I need you to remember this always - it was not your fault. Your father didn't die because of you, alright? Those monsters killed him, and they'd have probably killed him anyway if he wasn't with you. So please, stop hunting yourself with that blame".

Rasima looked away, trying to hide her tears from her mother. How could she stop blaming herself? Was it even possible?

Her mother's tears broke her heart. Now, she had more reasons to leave. Perhaps, Kylie was right; she brought nothing but badluck and sadness.

The door opened and Mrs Chantal looked to see it was the doctor.

Quickly, she wiped her tears and let go of Rasima's hand. Although, the doctor already saw everything.

"Doctor. Are the results ready?" She sniffed, noticing the envelope he had in his hand.

"Um...yes", replied the doctor.

He wasn't looking too happy, Mrs Chantal noticed.

He walked towards them and handed the envelope to her.

"Um....hope there's nothing critical, doctor?" Mrs Chantal asked, beginning to feel uneasy.

"Well, not really. Just go through the result".

With fidgety hands, Mrs Chantal brought out the result and ran her eyes through it. Rasima had also become curious and looked at her mother.

"Wh...What?" Mrs Chantal flinched. "What the hell is this?"

Rasima's heart got heavy at once.

"What is wrong, mum?"She asked fearfully.

Mrs Chantal handed the papers to her, and with a nervous mind, she equally went through the result. She felt her head spin when she saw the pregnancy box ticked as positive.

Her jaws dropped. What was that? Who was pregnant?