The most calming of places and yet, my heart hasn't been soothed into it. I layed on my back for a while, until I grew tired and now, I sit up, staring out at the beautiful stream.

Such tranquility, such moments to spend and to let go of everything within, being held and wanting to choke me. She's been present with me yet I have not acknowledged her. Niana, my spirit wolf.

I don't have to return anymore. This thought fills my mind as I stare out at the distance.

" Don't think like that Catherine." She finally speaks, not  being able to hold it in anymore.

" And how am I suppose to think?" I question.

She remains silent, not giving me an answer.

" I'm tired." I speak up again. " I can speak this now because I'm here and not...." There.

I don't finish the sentence.

" Why did you allow for things to get this far?" I finally question, not being able to hold it in.

Instead of an answer, I feel her move from behind me and come sit beside me, now joining me.

" This is the end." I say.

" No it's not." She says, touching my hand but I jerk away from her touch, so fast as if she burnt me.

I glance at her, for the very first time sparing her a look. I see it then, the look of hurt that crosses her face because of my actions.

She never ceases to amaze me with the essence of glow around her, the long white hair that cascades like a waterfall behind her. In her soft pink long sleeved gown, with a touch of white flowers giving it more of that pretty and admirable touch, her powerful yet calm presence and her captivating white eyes, for the first time, it makes me wonder about her story.

But I won't question her, this I can accept, that I don't have a right to.

" So much waits for you Catherine, waiting for your return."

I glance back to the water when I see her staring at it. The water clears like never before until on a certain spot, I see a picture that hurts my heart, the sight of my nana sitting at my bedside,  with tears trailing down her face.

Oh my nana. The one amongst the most important in my life, I don't like the picture I am seeing. She doesn't look okay at all. Her strength has always been what I held onto as I was growing up, to see her break down like this hurts me. I've been hurt before, I've been hospitalised before and she's always kept in hope of my recovery and strength, in order to show me strength. This time however, it looks like she might be the one in need of strength, there hasn't been any sign that I will wake up.

Niana hasn't given it because I haven't given it.

" She hasn't been the same ever since that day, none have." She says.

" My nana." I can't help but say, being affected by seeing her in so much distress.

" Selena is a strong woman but this, having both her grandchildren in difficult states, has really affected her. "

" I know what you are doing." I say, rising to my feet but she is quick to pull me back down.

" My Catherine." I look away from her.

" Are you sending me back?" I ask.

" Not without your consent." She replies.

" Then what is this you are doing now?" I question again.

" You need to return Catherine."

I pull my hand back, keeping silent.

Again, another picture comes into light and it includes a group of people, my family and friends. There is tension, I can sense it from here. I see my nana blocking people from entering my hospital room. She is forbidding a pale and sorrowful Travis and regretful Kylie, from entering. Papa on the other hand is being held back by Evan, from attacking Travis.

" This is what had happened earlier. Time has passed and days have gone by yet everything between them has changed. Selena and Mathew have not let many people to see you. After what happened between you, Travis and Kylie, there's been a lot of heaviness upon the pack."

" The pack doesn't know what happened." I say, being assured by my senses.

" No,  but they can feel the strain within the leadership."

I let out a sigh, rising to my feet and this time, she doesn't stop me. I walk away from her, needing a moment alone.

" Catherine."

" I deserve a moment." I say.

" You deserve so much more."

" Yet I lost everything."

" No -"

" Yes and don't try to convince me otherwise, your words won't touch my ears." I say strongly.

Silence takes over after my words.

I hear her come closer and in time, I hold up my hand, stopping her movements.

" I deserve a moment." I say again.

" Catherine, there's been silence between us."

In her own words, she means that there has been strain in our bond.

" Do you need a reason for that?"

" I gave you space, time to bond with your baby without my interference."

" Now where is she?!" I snap, jerking around to face her again.

She staggers back, her brows pulling together.

I have never raised my voice at her, this is a first.

" She is gone, gone!.....I can't take more of this. My heart, my heart -" My chest heaves up and down and I have to catch a breath, to be able to speak.

" My baby, my baby." I fall to my knees and my head hangs low, tears already making their way down my face. " My time with her had been robbed, she was taken from me. I can't hold her anymore, my little butterfly, my Ulana." I let out through a cry, my chest hurting when thoughts of my baby come to mind.

I feel her hand on my shoulder but I shrug her off, still crying. My body suddenly grows tired and I end up laying on the grass, I let out a cry until I can't anymore.

Tears blur my vision and my eyes close, a silent cry is all I am able to let out until I slip into nothingness.

                     ******

I hear the distant sound of my baby laughing, it pulls me awake and by the time my eyes flutter open, I am calm again. I'm not as tired as before and sitting up, isn't a struggle. Looking around I see that I'm still here but this time, I have woken up from what looks like a little wooden shelter, it almost looks like a little room.

She placed me on a swinging bed.

" Catherine." I hear her soft voice call me.

I turn to the direction of her voice, to see her come my way, with something in hand. At a close distance, I notice the wooden tray in hand.

She stands in front of me and holds out the tray full of fruit to me.

I take it, nodding my thank you.

I eat in silence for a while and she sits beside me, joining me. I can feel her eyes on me.

Time passes with us in silence and before I can relax completely in it, I feel her hand softly touching my hair. I tense up for a moment before relaxing again, letting her run her fingers through my hair.

" You didn't send me back." I finally speak up.

" No I didn't."

I look at her and ask, " Why not?"

" I can't force your hand Catherine. I don't want to."

" Then let me stay here." She looks away from me.

" You are being silent again yet you don't want me to do the same." I comment, getting back to eating.

She still doesn't say anything but this time rises to her feet and starts walking away from me.

" Are you leaving me alone again?" I question, pulling her to a stop.

" I would never do such a thing, don't question my devotion and loyalty to you."

I sigh, placing the tray aside after taking a much needed drink.

" What about my hearts desire, can you grant that for me?" I try again, rising to my feet.

" This is not your hearts desire." She says in disagreement.

" I'm tired."

" I know you are."

" Won't you let me rest?"

" Then any chance at thought of returning will wither away."

" Your words and your actions are confusing me." I admit.

" I can't let you not live, not when this has given me more reason to stay."

Her words make me frown.

She turns to face me and says, " I'm sorry." Her apology is also written on her face.

At the moment that I am about to say something, I hear her gasp and she holds out her hand towards me.

I rush over to place my own on top of hers, letting my eyes to close and disappear in mind, from my surroundings.

I am taken back to the hospital room, where my still body lays in the silence. There seems to be no sign of anyone with me but soon someone enters and it looks like a doctor. The person has a face mask on and I can't really tell his face, adding to the fact that their hair is covered too.

It's a male, this I can tell, a very tall male.

" He's here." I hear Niana's voice like a wind in my ears as I watch the person, take his time in closing the distance between us.

The urge to question her on who this might be grows but I don't cave in, wanting to see for myself everything unfold.

Beside my bed, he stands looking down at me for a while before he pulls down his mask. My brows pull together when I am able to recognize him, even without him uncovering his hair.

It's elder Thomas.

" Hello Sister." He says and my heart stops for a second.

My lips part in surprise yet all too soon, my breath hitches when Niana breathes out a name.

" Michael."