She looks around and even the smallest movement of her eyes causes pain to flash through her temples. A cave, she is in a cave. A small fire is lit for heat and something is brewing, filling the stone room with a delicious aroma.
“Oh, good. You’re awake.” A voice says.
Elina watches a female walk towards her, holding a tin cup.
“My name is Dana. I am your nurse and chef. You have been asleep for about six hours. How are you feeling?” Dana asks as she touches Elina’s forehead.
Dana looks to be in her late twenties with dark brown hair, cut pixie short. Her chocolate brown eyes show compassion and Elina feels no threat from her.
“I would feel better if I could move my hands, Dana.” Elina tells her honestly.
“I will let Janet know you are awake and we will see to your freedom. My suggestion to you, is to tread carefully. Strangers are a threat to our safety and that won’t be allowed. Give me a few minutes and I will get you some clean clothes.”
Elina closes her eyes and relaxes, conserving her energy in case she will need it. She hears the sound of voices and decides to try to call for Malach once more. Only silence greets her silent call, she can’t feel him. She knows what the demons will do to him, she can only pray that doesn’t happen. What of her family? “This can’t be real.” Elina whispers as a tear slips free and sinks into her dirty hair.
“It is real and the sooner you accept it, the better,” the voice of condemnation snaps. Elina turns her head and her turquoise eyes pierce Janet.
“I would like some answers, Janet. You will give them to me, one way or another.” Elina’s power is humming along with her frustration, pain and confusion. It rolls off her spirit in waves and Janet is aware that she is pushing it.
“Cut her free, Dana. Give her some food and clean her up. She leaves in the morning.” Janet turns and stomps out of the cave. Dana steps past her and finds Elina wrists are already free. Elina ignores the offered help up, gasping in pain as her head pounds and she struggles not to vomit.
After the room stops spinning Dana pushes a hot cup into Elina’s hand. “Broth. It will help you recover quickly.” She moves behind Elina to check her head. She prods gently and finds a knot but no broken skin, satisfied she steps back.
Elina sighs as the hot salty broth explodes in her mouth. “Thank you, Dana. This is amazing. What did she hit me with, a brick?” Elina asks as she prays for the pounding to stop soon.
“This should help,” Dana says and hands her two aspirin. She watches as Elina swallows the pills. “Here are some clean clothes for you. I hope they fit. It’s the best we could do.”
Elina accepts the clothes gratefully and asks, “Where are we?” swallowing the rest of the broth.
“We are in a cave on the property. There are multiple caves and we have managed to remain hidden because we never stay in them very long.” Dana moves away, “There is a hot spring further down this cave, if you feel up to it I will take you to it, so you can clean up.”
“Lead the way.” Elina says as she follows Dana slowly through the tunnel. A torch lights the way and Elina asks, “How long have you lived like this?”
Dana stops walking, “Since the battles began. I was home from nursing school for the holidays. It started so softly. At first, I thought it was an earthquake, but it didn’t stop. My parents had taken us ice skating, my ten year old sister and me. We do it every year….” Dana’s voice stops for a moment and she becomes lost in the memory.
She starts walking slowly and Elina follows,
“The minute the screaming started, I didn’t know what to make of it. You know all the usual stuff, kids playing a joke, but the screams grew louder and people started to panic. I could see my parents protecting my sister across the rink. It was instant chaos, people were screaming and running in every direction. The wave of people pushed me back and I couldn’t get to them. I watched as the demons dropped from the sky. My parents were lifted up and taken, while others were slaughtered like animals. The blood rained down and made the ice slippery.”
Dana stops walking to duck down and pass through a narrow tunnel. She leads the way into the hot cavern. Steam fills the cavern and Elina watches as she lights a lantern and sets it near the pool.
“It is slippery, so be careful. Soap is on a stone nearby. I will return for you in about fifteen minutes.”
Before Dana leaves, Elina stops her. “What happened to your sister?” she asks.
“Two of them took her. The demons pulled her apart. I could see her eyes pleading with me to help her, but I couldn’t. I still hear her pleading for me to save her.”
Dana shudders and takes a deep breath, turning a fierce gaze upon Elina. “Janet saved me. She found me wandering the streets and took me to safety. We are all damaged, don’t judge her too harshly. There are twenty-three of us that have been rescued because of her. Now, twenty-four, counting you.” She slips gently away as Elina watches and considers all that she has been told.
Elina sinks into the hot water with a sigh and gives a prayer of thanks for the moment of serenity. Using the bar of soap, she scrubs her head and body quickly before rinsing off. Then grabs her dirty clothes, and gives them
