Fledgling

by Natasha Brown

  If it were him, he’d be up a tree already. By the strain in Melissa’s voice, Chance could tell she was holding on by a thread.

  “How much more do we have to wait? What time is it anyway?” Ana glanced at the clock on the wall.

  “You came out from the procedure at quarter after one and it’s five o’clock now.” As he spoke, Chance noticed a woman walk toward them. “Is that your doctor?”

  Ana lifted her head off the bed and nodded.

  The curly haired woman approached with a kind, creased smile. It looked like she hadn’t slept in days, each sleepless hour adding a dark circle to her tired eyes. She stopped at the bed, unwound the stethoscope from her shoulders and cupped the metal end in her hand.

  “Hi Ana, how are you feeling?” Dr. Tilgan asked. “I understand your entry point opened up a while ago? Let me take a peek.”

  Chance focused on Ana’s face as the doctor lifted her gown.

  “I feel fine. I’m ready to go!” She delivered a bright grin, which turned into a grimace.

  “Well, the entry point looks good. If you can keep some liquids down, then we could have you out of here within the hour.”

  The doctor patted Ana’s leg and covered her up with a folded blanket. She called over to a nurse for some water and ice chips before she refocused on Ana. Dr. Tilgan’s expression grew serious. A jolt of fear pierced his chest.

  “So, Ana. We got some very clear images of your heart. We were able to confirm the thickening and hardening to an extent I’m not happy with. How have you been feeling with the increased dosage of medication?”

  Ana avoided looking at Chance when she answered, “Well, I haven’t really noticed a difference.”

  Dr. Tilgan settled her hands on the table and sighed. “Okay. I plan on presenting your case to the board and we’ll see if we can come up with another approach. At least your lungs aren’t congested. I want to keep a close eye on you though. I don’t want you getting to the point of transplant. Do you have any questions for me?”

  Chance sat numbly and tried to register what the doctor said.

  “No, no questions,” Ana said. “When do you want me back?”

  “I want you back in one month—no more. Keep up on your medication. And it’s very important you don’t overexert yourself. Don’t push yourself—your heart can’t take it.”

  The doctor glanced to the other end of the recovery ward where loud voices raised above the beeping machinery and added, “I’m sorry, but I need to check in with another patient—I’ll get your paperwork going so you guys can take off quickly.”

  Chance listened to the doctor’s footfalls until they faded away.

  ***

  Ana was afraid to look at Chance. Although she had grown to need him, like air to breathe, she would rather not see him suffer through the heartache ahead. If this dose of reality was too much, she would understand.

  His fingers entwined hers and she closed her eyes as a wet stream began to flow down her cheeks.

  He wiped away her tears and kissed her eyes.

  When he met her gaze, she was alarmed. What she saw reflected in Chance’s normally benevolent features reminded her of a wild animal.

  On the drive home, Ana sipped a clear soda the nurses gave her. Chance’s fierceness had faded. He was once again the kindhearted, tender person she knew.

  For part of the drive, Ana’s eyes closed and she went to sleep. Chance held her hand and traced his thumb rhythmically along hers. She awoke as they approached her home. Ana was relieved she didn’t have to face her family when she told them the news. She had called her mom from the clinic before they left to tell her what the doctor had said. Melissa appeared to take it in stride over the phone, but something in her voice left her daughter questioning how well she had really taken the news.

  When they drove up to the familiar blue house, Ana was eager to see her family. If she could only make it through the evening without all the doting and fussing, it would be painless.

  The front door of the house burst open in a flurry of movement. Melissa wrenched open the door on Ana’s side and hugged her before she could get out.

  “Mom! You could at least let me out first!” She laughed weakly and attempted to free her legs.

  While she climbed out of the truck, hands reached past her and retrieved her bag. Another set of hands touched her shoulders and she was pulled into another hug. Lilac filled her airway; Aunt Tera’s favorite perfume.

  “Oh, sweetie. We love you,” her aunt’s tough-as-nails demeanor broke as her voice cracked with emotion.

  Ana was led inside by Melissa and Eva, who sandwiched her between them. Aunt Tera and Uncle Jace positioned themselves alongside Chance as they escorted him through the doorway. Tera gave him a kiss on the cheek.

  A feast was laid out on the table and filled the room with smells that roused Ana’s deadened appetite. She was mildly hungry for the first time that day. Although, only moderately interested in food. She sat down and allowed her loved ones to shower her with attention, while Chance stuck to her side.

  Eva pointed at the food she contributed and said, “I made the Focaccia bread with Aunt Tera today and I helped make the soup.”

  “It looks delicious, Eva.” Ana congratulated her and noted how much she had grown since the move.

  “We don’t want to tire you out, baby, but we wanted to show you how much you mean to us. Plus, you should really try the soup—it‘ll be mild on your stomach after anesthesia.” Melissa eyed Ana with a troubled look and added, “Eva and Tera worked on it all afternoon.”

  Thankfully, no one mentioned the results of her procedure and she let her worries ease.

  Chance sat like a silent mute throughout dinner and quietly accepted the gratitude and food that was offered. His mind seemed elsewhere—his distraction evident only to her.

  Around her, the family kept the evening chatty and light, so she leaned in to Chance and asked, “Are you okay?”

  She grasped his hot hand within hers and noticed faint creases on his forehead marking his otherwise smooth skin.

  “Sure. I’m just tired. I’m fine.” He patted her hand and offered a canned smile which threw Ana into immediate suspicion. He was clearly concerned, but there was something more. It seemed like something had been awakened in him that startled her; a new, ragged edge that had never been exposed before.

  All too familiar with painful secrets, she sensed he was withholding information and it began to bite at her.

  Chapter 21

  At nearly eleven o’clock, Ana emerged from behind the door at the end of the hallway. She wandered slowly, reminiscent of a zombie, to the bathroom. The sterile odor from the clinic lingered on her skin. She stumbled into a hot shower to rinse the aroma from her body, satisfied only when the shampoo’s fragrance remained.

  Ana came downstairs refreshed and heard Melissa announce, as soon as her foot touched the bottom stair, “Chance called checking up on you—maybe you should let him know you’re okay.”

  She walked through the kitchen and gave her mother a peck on the cheek. Melissa wore yellow rubber gloves and was busy cleaning the cupboards. All the dishes and glasses were piled along the counters while they awaited their spotless resting places. Ana arched her eyebrow, shocked at her mother’s cleaning madness.

  “Well, I haven’t given them a good scrub since we moved in. I don’t want all those years of dust on our things.” Melissa wiped her forehead with the back her glove.

  Ana knew her mom hated cleaning and she only scrubbed cabinets when she was stressed. Ana pat her mom’s shoulder before she went out onto the back deck to call Chance.

  He picked up after the first ring and answered with a casual tone Ana thought sounded a little put on.

  “Hey. Mom said you called. I’m fine—just sleeping off the anesthesia from yesterday.” She paused to yawn and asked, “What’ve you been doing?”

  She extended her arms above her, carefu
l to avoid a head rush.

  “Oh, uh—I’m just out taking a walk with my grandfather.”

  “That sounds nice. Well, I heard you called earlier checking up on me and wanted to let you know I feel fine today. Much better than yesterday.”

  “Good. Wanted to make sure you were okay. Say, why don’t I call you later when Grandfather and I wrap things up. You rest, maybe hang out with Eva a little and I’ll see you later today.”

  Ana had the distinct feeling she was being told to sit down and stay put. She didn’t mind it coming from Chance, although he was the exception. She didn’t like anyone else telling her to rest; she resented it.

  “All right. I should hang with Eva anyway, it’s been a while. Have fun and I’ll talk to you later.”

  Ana closed her eyes and let the sunlight warm her face. She took a deep inhalation of the brisk fir scent before returning inside to sit beside her sister. The two snuggled on the couch beneath a blanket and watched their favorite animated movie while they ate popcorn.

  Afterwards, Ana decided to go upstairs when Melissa pulled out the broom and began to dust the ceiling. She sat at her computer and remembered the images she had saved to her desktop weeks ago. With the drama of her doctor’s appointments, she had entirely forgotten about the photographs. Maybe she had purposefully forgotten them.

  She inspected them again and assumed her memory had been off. After all, at the time she’d had a lot on her mind and probably mistook what she thought she saw. The silver glint on the fox’s white chest hadn’t changed. The bear pendant still dangled from the animal’s neck. The fox’s hazel eyes pierced through her. She frowned and began to pick at her desk with her fingernail.

  Why would an animal outside her back door have Chance’s necklace on? Albeit elaborate, this had to be some kind of silly prank he’d played on her. That was the only logical reason she could think of. Chance must have played tricks on her all along, ever since he spoke of his shaman ancestors, to frighten her or give her a thrill.

  Chills ran through her body. Anger welled up and her cheeks burned. He allowed her to think he healed inhumanly fast, as well as his prowess outdoors—all of it used to demonstrate some kind of weird magical story.

  Ana was not amused. It was at her expense and while she was in poor health too. What kind of person was he? Obviously not the person she thought he was. She had allowed him into her heart. I’m a fool.

  Ana bolted downstairs faster than she should have and grabbed her keys. Ana called out, “I’m running over to Chance’s real quick. Be back soon!”

  Ana flung herself out the front door and hurried to her van. She peeled out of the driveway and sped to Chance’s house. Along the way, she considered the fact she could have jumped to conclusions. Maybe he hadn’t intended to be cruel. Just the same, he had some answering to do.

  When Ana arrived at his driveway, she slowed to a crawl up the gravel road. She sat and stared at a wood pile at the end of the drive before she got out, revisiting all the unanswered questions in her mind.

  She stumbled down the rocky pathway to the front porch, stepped up to the door and knocked. After a few moments, the door swung open to reveal a surprised Aiyana.

  “Hi Ana, how are you doing?” Aiyana said and stared at Ana leaning against the door frame for support.

  When she had left her house, she’d forgotten about the procedure the day before. It dawned on her why Aiyana was concerned. Foolish and embarrassed, Ana looked down and said, “I’m fine. I just needed to sleep off the anesthesia.”

  “You sure? Why don’t you come in and sit?” Aiyana opened the door wide as she welcomed her inside.

  Ana remained where she stood, recalling why she was there. “Actually, I needed to talk to Chance. Is he here?”

  “No. He’s still out with his grandfather. I’m not expecting them back for another couple hours. They like finding new paths. When we bought the property, we didn’t realize how many trails there were. If you want, I can have him call you when they get back.”

  Ana faltered and remembered he had said he wouldn’t be around until later that afternoon. She shook her head and faced Aiyana. Her shoulders slumped as she said, “That’s right. Thanks, Aiyana. As soon as he gets back—it’s important.”

  “Is everything okay?”

  “I just need to talk to him.” Ana backed up. She waved as she left the porch and walked back down the gravel walkway. Ana heard the door close as she reached the driveway.

  Great. She drove all the way out to Chance’s house and he wasn’t even home. Anger bubbled up again and she kicked at the gravel, which sent a piece ricocheting out into the shrubs that lined the drive.

  She rested her hand on the van’s door handle, about to wrench it open just as a noise tore through the peaceful forest. Her head whipped around in surprise and she squinted in the direction it came from in the woods. It sounded like a large mountain cat screeching. A path cut through the forest in the same place as the growl.

  “Chance!” Ana’s stomach writhed in fear.

  The cry sounded again and without any thought, Ana ran up the path. She stumbled past berry bushes, the brambles scratching her arms as she propelled herself forward. She knew Chance was out hiking with his grandfather on one of these trails. What if they’re in danger?

  Familiar markers moved past as she continued to a place on the trail that wasn’t familiar to her. She dropped her head and grabbed her knees to catch her breath as it tore through her throat like fire. Ana’s heart pounded from exertion and fear. Willpower kept her upright.

  The screech called out again, but this time much closer. A quick intake of breath sent a shooting pain down her throat. Ana imagined a pair of menacing eyes watching her from the bushes and she whimpered. With urgency, she moved sideways up the mountainside and forced herself forward, but her body cried for rest. Her run through the forest had become a dangerous and regrettable choice. She didn’t know where Chance was and now she was lost. And more significantly, in danger.

  If she could just find her voice, she would call out to Chance. But if she did call out, it could lead the mountain lion right to her. Ana’s heart hammered in a perilous and irregular rhythm, which caused her to stumble on the rugged earthen path.

  She stopped at the top of a ridge to view the grassy valley below that was encircled with pine trees. Her feet tripped over themselves as she followed the trail to the basin. She searched the terrain from the shaded scrub brush to the tree trunks, fearful of the wild beast lurking. Pain ripped through her body, but she forged ahead despite it. She toppled into a tree near the bottom and allowed the trunk to hold her upright. All she could hear was her blood pounding in her ears.

  Then she heard voices. Chance’s voice.

  “I held it better that time. I think I’m getting it now. How did I look?”

  Her eyesight played games with her. Two forms stood in the clearing, but they were blurry and doubled.

  She rubbed her eyes and was able to identify Chance. He was only wearing a pair of jeans, which he was in the process of buttoning up. His broad chest was uncovered. If she wasn’t terrified for his safety, she would have appreciated his muscular form. He held a gray shirt and his feet were bare. That’s an odd way to go hiking.

  Niyol stood before Chance and spoke so low Ana could barely hear his voice over the blood pounding in her ears. “You held form. It seemed easier for you this time.”

  Ana remembered why she ran into the woods and stumbled forward. As she passed the last trees to enter the grassy valley, Chance and his grandfather spun around, clearly surprised at her presence.

  “Ana! What are you doing here?!” Chance asked and dropped his shirt to the ground.

  Ana’s head grew cloudy and she sank into a darkening abyss. “Look out. . .for the. . .cougar.”

  “Ana!”

  Chance closed the distance between them in a flash and caught her before she hit the ground. He held her in his shaking arms and b
rushed the hair from her face. Her breathing slowed and became sporadic and scratchy.

  “Grandfather! What should I do?! Her heart!”

  “You can get her to safety, but you must hurry.”

  “But, I haven’t been able to take that form yet!” He argued and his voice cracked in distress.

  “Chance, you must hurry! She needs you! Believe in yourself.”

  Ana continued to fade in and out of awareness. She had the impression of movement. Heavy breathing, which she determined was not coming from her, filled her ears and sounded more like snorts. She felt like a towel draped over a rack, her body limp and unwilling to forfeit control back to her numb mind. Her consciousness faded to black.

  Ana reappeared from the empty vacuum and sensed hard ground beneath her. She was no longer in motion. Was she hallucinating? Her blurry vision revealed a form move away from her faster than was humanly possible.

  It was like watching a movie where she was an observer and not directly involved with the drama. The sound of elevated voices and shouts met her ears. Someone called for mom.

  Whose mom?

  Her eyes flickered shut and she dropped her back into the calming depths of her mind.

  Chapter 22

  A tickle inside Ana’s nose woke her. She wrinkled her face and raised her hand to rub the itch. Something dropped into her lap after her fingers brushed against it. Confused, she tried to open her heavy lids.

  A bright haze met her eyes. She squinted at her lap where the mysterious item fell. An oxygen tube lay across a fuzzy blue blanket.

  “Ana.” A deep velvet voice found its way to her ears.

  She tracked down the origin of the sweet sound and found him. He sat beside her bed and leaned in so close she could smell his spicy scent. It made her feel safe and calm.

  Another familiar smell forced her to survey her surroundings. A hospital. She knew that smell anywhere. It was so ingrained in her she could never forget it. Even if she tried.

  Chance cupped her face in his hands and said, “You’re okay. Didn’t know for a while. I’ve never been so scared in my life. I thought I was going to lose you.”

  Confusion set in and Ana asked, “Chance, what happened?”

  Chance took a shuddering breath and spoke, ignoring her question, “Seeing you lying there—lifeless. I could have lost you and I’ve never told you. . .Ana, I love you. I went crazy on the drive to the hospital not knowing if you were going to live. I just kept thinking about how much I cared for you and that you’d never know. And I want you to know.”