"Thank you." Were the only words that left her lips, she didn't bother raising her head and moving at all. Everything suddenly hurt and all she wanted to do was curl up into a ball. A sigh left her lips as her hands curled tighter against the strap still in her hold. She just wanted to be alone and attempt to escape or sleep.

She hadn't seen the inside as she was pushed between one room and the next, she couldn't focus on anything. The reason she'd left her home the day after she'd turned eighteen was because she couldn't stand it anymore. The four walls were suffocating her, they seemed to mock her with echoes of her own screams as a child. Her room was a mine of things that she'd collected, things that she'd left behind so her 'parents' would see.

She'd been fortunate to find the store her father had left before he'd vanished. She'd moved in and spent the first few weeks relaxing into a normal home. The panic attacks followed by the relapses from her 'lessons' had kept her from getting anthing done with the shop unto a month and a half had passed.

I should of stayed alone...I shouldn't have acceored... Her mind was reeling and the throbbing that had taken over her body seemed to increase. Swallowing and lifting her head, she focused on Aleksandr's father and gave him a thin smile. Her chest ached and the familiar spasms just beneath her skin were the signs she wanted to keep hidden from either male. She could feel the old panic settling in, the itch beneath her skin for a needle she knew wouldn't come. She wondered briefly if she'd be able to make it out of this sane, the ghosts she'd buried were slowly emerging once more. @Briza

“I think she can sleep in my room, and I’ll get the couch,” Aleksandr decided to get that conversation out of the way.

Father Seraphim nodded his head, “Fair enough,” he looked at Sylvia’s thin smile. He knew the house wasn’t the friendliest or most welcoming looking. He could assure her it was better than what he had in Russia! However, bringing up Russia was probably not the best social response, “Well…” he looked down and then back at the two young ones, “I am going to make myself some lunch,” he paused, “Why don’t you show Sylv to your room?” He eyed Aleksandr, motioning towards the bedrooms.

Aleksandr glanced at his bedroom. The door was wide open. He made a small frown and wheeled Sylvia to his bedroom, “Well, there is the bathroom,” he pointed towards a door down the hall from the bedrooms, “And this is my room,” he said grimly, pushing the wheelchair through the bedroom door, “Ummm… this is my bed,” he was just talking to talk at this point. His bed was a mess. It looked like either he never made his bed in the morning or he had had a rough night’s sleep. There were books scattered on the floor, “My room kind of looks like shit right now,” he said lowly, cautiously as if his dad would sprout from the wood work for hearing him say a cuss word, “I don’t know, what do you want to do, right now? I need to change the sheets on my bed—they’re probably gross,” he hadn’t meant to use the word gross, but it came out, anyways. The house was clearly a male only household, and until now, Aleksandr had mostly turned a blind eye towards it.

The smell of soup started resonating through the household from the kitchen. Aleksandr turned his attention toward the entrance of the room and then back at Sylvia. @Arista

"You can do as you wish. I'm only a guest." She stated after a pause, her composer hanging by a tread. She placed her duffle bag near her chair before stretching her good leg out, wincing when her bad leg protested the movement. When the smell of soup began to fill the air, Sylvia wrinkled her nose and focused on the window within the room.

I'm only stranger who will be staying here until I can move on my own. She thought with a shake of her head, her eyes closing as a shudder ran up her spine. This was her first time bein in another person's room, her shoulders rolled under her sweater as she tried to will her panic away. @Briza

Aleksandr turned to face Sylvia. He squatted down in front of her, "Are you okay?" he gave her the same confused, serious face he had given her in the bookstore when she felt like she was about to vomit. He knew his house was no commodity; and his father was a bit strange being from the old country and an Orthodox priest; and he was no better, he had his own issues to deal with. It probably didn't help that his father and he played off of each other's weaknesses due to sheer boredom, which probably wasn't the best situation to live through.

He tried to force a small, reasurring smirk on his face. @Arista

"Peachy. I just...don't do well in normal homes." Her words were weak ato best, her mind whirling as she tried and failed to ground herself. This wasn't the past, she wasn't a kid and she could fight back now. "Homes like this one are what I grew up in, my memories aren't fond of my time in what used to be my own home."

She raised her head with effort and allowed a small, tired smirk to tug her lips up. Her hands had gravitated to the center of her collarbone and pressed as she tried to calm. Her teeth bit softly into her bottom lip as she tried to breathe through her aching lungs. She could feel the ice-water feeling that spread through her body as her fingers pressed Hardee against her collarbone.

I'm not a child...I don't want them...I don't want to have a panic attack now... Her lips parted as a soft sound escaped from her throat, her body hunching forward as her mind continued to screech at her predicament. She was tired of being afraid but her dammed ghosts wouldn't leave her be. @Briza

"Homes like this one are what I grew up in, my memories aren't fond of my time in what used to be my own home," Aleksandr frowned as he watched her let a small smirk tugged up her lips. However, her lips soon parted as a soft sound escaped from her throat. Her body hunched forward.

Aleksandr nervously reached his hand out to touch her chin gently. All the things that could possibly go wrong as he touched her ran through his mind. He tilted her head upwards, towards him, "It's okay," he made a reassuring half smile. Her skin was really soft, which made his hand tremble a bit. He looked down, away from her for a brief moment to think of what would cheer her up. He was at a slight loss considering he did not even know how to cheer himself up.

He thought back to the hospital. He closed his eyes tightly and opened, again, looking up at Sylvia, he forced himself back into character, "Perhaps, Mademoiselle would enjoy a luxurious shower?" He stood up to push her towards the bathroom knowing full well the bathroom was nothing luxurious. In fact, the hot and cold knobs were opposite. Father Seraphim kept saying he would call a plumber to get it fixed, but the words never made it to the phone. In any instance, it was not a life obstruction.

As he grabbed hold of the wheelchair's handles he forced a jovial smile, turning the wheelchair around and pushing it out of the bedroom cautiously. His head peaked to see what his father was doing in the kitchen and then proceeded to the bathroom. When he wheeled her into the bathroom he made a swooping motion with his arms, "Voila! Would Mademoiselle care for a bath élégante?" He was scared to death of being so animated, especially in front of someone he didn't know. However, Sylvia seemed miserable. His smile flickered a bit, trying to keep up the persona to the best of his ability. @Arista

The moment she felt warm fingers lifting her chin, she felt a flush rush to her cheeks. She felt a shiver run up her spine and a giddy sensation filled her stomach. At his words a twitch of a smile smoothed the icy feeling within her. A small chuckle escaped her lips as Aleksandr wheeled her towards her destination, her shoulders and muscles relaxing.

"I'd be honored good sir. However I will need a duffle bag and a plastic bag to wrap around my cast." The hollowness that has filled her had lifed, her heartbeat slowing as she focused on regaining control over her emotions. Her hands rose to lower the hood she'd raised in order to block her face from her two hosts, her fingers twitching as she set them again in her lap. "I ask though, that you don't force yourself to act like we did in the hospital. If it makes you uncomfortable then it's fine, I just have to get used to the house and I'll be fine." She murmured softly, hands absently caressing the sidebars of her chair. @Briza

"I ask though, that you don't force yourself to act like we did in the hospital. If it makes you uncomfortable then it's fine, I just have to get used to the house and I'll be fine."

Alekandr's eyes widened, feeling caught in the act. His hands dropped by his side as a small nervous breath escaped from his lips. A frown rested on his face "I ummm...," he paused, looking around the bathroom, trying to find his train of thought, "I'll go get your duffle bag... and stuff," Before he left the bathroom he stopped and turned to Sylvia, "Don't go anywhere," he warned her in a stark joking manner, raising one of his eyebrows as he spoke.

He walked into the kitchen to grab a trash bag, "What are you making?" he asked his father.

"You know, Aleksy," his father sighed while facing the stove, "It's really a shame what drugs have done to that poor girl's life," he turned around to face Aleksandr. His hand was raised a bit as he spoke, using it for gestures, "I do pray you are over that phase in your life..." He made a concerning glare at Aleksandr, "I would just hate for her to find anything in your room. That stuff destroys people and the people around them," he was speaking quietly.

"Sounds... delicious," Aleksandr nodded, with his lips tightly closed. He turned away from his father and opened a cupboard where the trash bags were stored. He unraveled one of the bags.

"I'm being serious, Aleksandr," Father Seraphim was still facing Aleksandr when he spoke. His voice was still quiet, but harsh this time. He had clearly lost his patience.

Aleksandr stared at the trash bag and then back at his father. He said nothing and left the kitchen. As he rounded the corner he took a deep breath. He went into his bedroom and grabbed the duffle bag from the floor. He turned around and headed to the bathroom.

He peaked his head into the bathroom, "Oh, you're still here?" He handed her the trash bag, "Unfortunately, as for bags go, this is all we have," he glanced at the bathtub, "I will get the water running for you, and ummm..." he raised his hands by his face, "I'll leave you alone," he scooted past Sylvia's wheelchair and made it to the bathtub, "The knobs are backwards. So, if you want cold water, you have to use the hot water nob, and vice versa," he leaned over and plugged the bathtub before turning on the water. He stood back up, "Alright," he nodded at Sylvia, "I suggest not locking the bathroom because if anything should happen to you... And, I promise I will not barge in on you," he let out a small sigh and left the bathroom, closing the door behind him. @Arista

Sylvia remained silent as Aleksandr explained the knobs before he started the water. She accepted the bag offered as well as her duffle bag and watched as the other skittishly moved around her before leaving the small room. A sigh escaped her lips as she leaned forward and effortlessly tied the bag around her cast, her gaze shifting to the slowly filling tub. She watched as it filled and allowed the sound to fill her ears for a few moments, before shaking her head and leaning forward to turn it off.

She gripped the edge of her hoodie and pulled it over her head, wincing when her forearm sent a faint jolt of pain up her arm. Reaching forward to grip the edge of the tub, she took a deep breath before sliding out of her chair. It should of been easy except for the fact that her arm refused to hold her weight, she managed after shifting so she used her left arm more.

Shedding the rest of her clothes, she slips under the water while her ankle remains propped against the edge of the tub. It was frigid as well as luke-warm and Sylvia closed her eyes and relaxed under her liquid-barrier. Faint aches began after a few moments, old 'rewards' from her lessons that never took to the cold, she ignored them and remained still beneath the water.

"What are those on your arms, Sylvia?" The soft voice had little Sylvia tensing before focusing on the face of her teacher. A look of confusion filtered across her features as she titled her head.

"Marks ma'am?" She asked innocently as her stomach tightened in unease. Her teacher furrowed her brows and nodded, a long finger lifting to point at her arms.

"Yes dear, did something happen? They look swollen..." Sylvia blinked and glanceddown at her arms, her expression going blank for a moment. She forced her eyes to water and her small body to shudder, when she glanced back up her teacher looked worried.

"I was attacked by a stray cat, Mrs. Jones. It scratched me really bad." She whimpered as she waited for the next words to leave Mrs. Jones' lips. Her arms were dotted with purple spots, her little body gave a shudder as a faint pulse of heat trailed up her spine.

"Oh, dear I'm so sorry. Here finish your puzzle so we can go eat lunch, alight?" A soft pat on the head as Mrs. Jones rose to her feet, Sylvia nodded as she turned her attention to her worksheet.

"Okay, Mrs. Jones!" She forced the cheer into her voice as she watched her teacher me towards the front of the class. Her little shoulders relaxed as she focused on the clock above the classroom door.

No one noticed when she fell asleep a few moments later.

A shake of her head dispelled the memories as she flexed her fingers and by extension her arms. She allowed the silence to soothe her remaining insecurities, her lungs beginning to ache as she began to count from one. She'd come back up when she reached twenty. @Briza

Aleksandr went into his closet and pulled out another pair of sheets. He could not remember the last time he had actually changed his sheets. Maybe the last time he had gotten a bloody nose... He made a hesitant, sheepish smile to himself and left his closet. He plopped the bedding on the solo desk in his room and began stripping his bed of its garments. His body stretched over the bed, tugging at the sheets. He probably needed a shower after Sylvia was done.

After the sheets had all been pulled from the bed, he turned to his desk and grabbed the clean sheets, spreading them over the bed nicely. He fluffed his pillow and pulled the comforter from the floor, deciding to put it on the bed, too--at least for appearances. He grimaced at his room. He began picking up his books and stacking them on his desk. He didn't have a bookshelf, yet, and he wasn't sure he was really planning on getting one. His floor had been doing just fine; however, a wheelchair maneuvering around the small room littered with books would not be very easy.

As he finished stacking the books, he sat in the chair in front of his desk. The smell of soup was still in the air--which likely meant his father was occupied eating, and Sylvia was taking a bath. A slight temptation slithered through his mind as he sat silently, contemplating everything. He relaxed his shoulders and leaned back in the plastic chair. @Arista

Emerging from the water and sitting up, Sylvia reached for her duffle bag and tugged out her toiletry bag and opening it. She tugged out a bottle of shampoo which she opened and poured intout her hand before scrubbing it into her hair. Lifting the plug to allow some of the water she was using now drain away, she turned the knobs and washed the shampoo from her hair. Leaving the water running she grabbed the last two items she needed before continuing with her bath.

Once done and perched on the edge of the tub with her towel wrapped around her waist, Sylvia drained the water with a shake of her head. She placed her toiletries bag back into her duffle before tugging out a change of clothes. Her used clothes going into the bag she'd used from her ankle, she dressed after a moment of silence. Once settled back into her chair, pale hands lift up to towel dry her dripping waist-length hair.

"I think I might need my pain medication...." Her ankle was throbbing as if someone had taken a hammer to it. She hissed softly and tugg ed her bag into her lap before reaching for the bathroom door. @Briza

"I think I might need my pain medication...."

Aleksandr snapped out of his train of thought, turning his head to face where the bathroom was. He looked around his room feeling satisfied with his clean-up job, as horrible as it was. He scooted the plastic chair away from his desk and stood up. He didn't bother to tuck the chair back in as he motioned towards the bathroom. As Sylvia opened the door, Aleksandr looked at her, "I think I left your medication in the car... I'm sorry," he forced a smile, "I'll go get it." He pulled her wheelchair from the front through the bathroom door so she wouldn't be stuck in the bathroom while she waited.

He turned and headed towards the front door. His father was eating at the table (and only table) that was stationed between the living room and the kitchen, "Where are you headed, Aleksy?" His father looked up from his soup.

Aleksandr turned to face his father, "Sylv needs her drugs," he said flatly. Father Seraphim put his spoon down, taking in a deep breath. He glanced behind Aleksandr, noticing Sylvia outside the bathroom. Father Seraphim shook his head softly.

"You may need the car keys. Hmm?" He stood up and fished the keys from his pocket. Both men walked towards each other as the keys were handed off.

"Thank you," Aleksandr said lowly and turned towards the front door. He took a breath as he unlocked and opened the door, getting ready to face the rain. The rain was rather cold despite being a September rain. He looked up at the sky, letting the rain fall on his face. He closed his eyes and relaxed in it for a bit. He smiled and walked towards the car, pushing the key into the Toyota's lock. He twisted the key and unlocked the car. He went to the backseat and grabbed the white medicine bag. He paused, staring at the bag for a brief moment. He shut the door and locked the car quickly, racing to the front door before he got too soaked in the rain.

"It feels really good outside," Aleksandr said aloud. Father Seraphim looked up from his soup.

"It reminds me of Russia!" He said with excitement in his voice. Alekasndr stared at his father for a moment. Both men had a quietness between them--both pondering on the dead lady of the household. Aleksandr nodded and went towards Sylvia. Father Seraphim went back to minding his soup.

Aleksandr handed Sylvia the white bag, "I'll get you some water," he turned around and made his way across the living room towards the kitchen. When he reached the kitchen, he opened one of the cupboards and pulled out a glass. He rinsed it out in the sink before heading to the refrigerator and pulling out the water filter container. He poured her half a glass. He placed the glass on the kitchen counter and put the water filter back into the refrigerator. He picked the glass back up and walked across the living room, once more, "Here," he held out his hand with the glass of water. @Arista

Sylvia was about to tell Aleksandr that she didn't need any water, but kept her mouth shut as the other headed towards the kitchen. She shrugged and pulled the bag closer to her, her head tilting when she pulled out two bottles. They were labeled but she couldn't read them but she knew the dosage, one of painkillers and one of antibiotics. Unscrewing the caps and taking one of each, she dry swallows them before replacing the caps and putting them in the bag once more.

"How did you know?" She asked when Aleksandr returned, taking the glass of water and taking a sip. She'd been wondering that since earlier within the day, she seemed to hear what most people wouldn't be able to. Her head tilted as a frown of concentration filtered across her lips. Her muddled mind filtering through the texts she read in relation to hearing, she blinked and shook her head.

Sleep was what she needed. Anything before that she'd ignored until her mind wasn't so fuzzy, her eyes blinked slowly as a slow warmrh began to fill her. Her head rests against the plastic back of her chair as her hands relax their grip on the bag. The medication already taking a hold of her, a small smile graced her lips. @Briza

Aleksandr stared at Sylvia in a confused manner, "Know what?" He took a step away from her, cautiously, watching her intently, back tracking what he had done... A smile appeared on her face. Aleksandr smiled back; he knew that feeling--better than he should. Remembering that his father was watching, he quickly wiped the grin from his face.

Father Seraphim finished his soup and picked up his dishes and brought them to the sink where he began washing them. His eyes looked up at the two as the sink water ran, he cleared his throat--noticing the silence between the two young adults. Aleksandr wipped his head around to see his father staring directly at him from the sink. Their eyes locked and some nonverbal conversation was sent through the air.

"Sylv looks tired, Aleksy. Maybe you should let her be," Aleksandr turned back around to look at Sylvia, he took another step back from her, "Come help me in the kitchen," Father Seraphim's voice was a bit stern, tugging on Aleksandr to come to the kitchen. Aleksandr let his question drop and begrudgingly walked to the kitchen to help his father with the dishes. @Arista

How is it that you heard me though a closed door and wall? Her question echoed in her head as she shrugged and placed her hands on the wheels of her chair. Remembering the way Nurse Gina had showed her, she began to wheel herself down the short hallway. She paused when she heard a clap of thunder and saw a flash of lightning, she entered the room Aleksandr showed her and paused.

Her head tilted as her eyes scanned the small room. Aleksandr must of cleaned up while she'd been shower, the books that had littered the floor had been picked up. She wheeled herself towards the bed and blinked when she noticed the sheets had also been changed.

She slipped out of her chair and flopped down on her side, her face focusing towards the window. Her eyes closed and soon she slipped into a warm half-awake state, her body relaxing as her body curled into a half ball. @Briza

As Sylvia wheeled into Aleksandr's bedroom the two men started talking. Father Seraphim handed Aleksandr a dish, "The first time I met your mother--"

"I don't care," Aleksandr cut him off. He was not particularly interested in their story. He never was. He never wanted to hear it. He grabbed the dish and began soaking it in water.

"She loved you a lot," Father Seraphim tried to sound positive, but there was a sadness in his voice. He looked at Aleksandr, seeing Theodora in him. Alas, Aleksandr, at times, made him miss Theodora all the more, "Have you showed Sylvia any of the icons you painted?" He made a half smile, just like the one Aleksandr had previously given Sylvia. Aleksandr knew the face all too well--he only inherited it from his father.

"No," Aleksandr shrugged, not particularly thinking she would be interested in his religious artwork. He wasn't even fond of it.

Father Seraphim nudged Aleksandr playfully, "I know how you think about her," he tried to change the subject unsuccessfully.

Aleksandr said nothing for a while before speaking, "I thought you warned me."

Father Seraphim sighed, "I was a bit older than you before returning to Russia," he reminisced.

"I don't want to hear it," Aleksandr hissed, as he finished washing the dish. He dried it off and slammed the towel down on the counter, "I'm going to go shower..." He stalked away from the kitchen.

Father Seraphim made a frown. Clearly, he was not understanding the situation.

Aleksandr opened the bathroom door and drew the shower water. He removed his shirt and pants and briefs. He hesitantly looked in the bathroom mirror at himself. A small frown, identical to his father's sketched over his lips. He hopped into the cold shower and began washing himself. Part of him thought of Sylvia; the other part thought of how annoyed he was with his father. @Arista

Sylvia finally allowed sleep to claim her after she listened to the rain pelting the window a few feet from where she lay. One hand curled against the pillow beneath her head while the other curled close to her mouth. Her sleep pattern varied and was never constant, she could go four days without sleep before passing out. Her fingers twitched absently in her sleep as a multi-color hue began to form behind her closed lids, a frown etching itself across her features.

She didn't want to dream. She just wanted to lay in darkness and ignore the real world. Her fuzzy mind turned to Aleksandr and his strange behavior, her head shook before she settled down once more. Over-analyzing things would only come back to bite her, as well as annoy her.

"Frown any harder and your face will stay that way...." She murmured as a wolf began to form behind her lids, her body curling as best it could. Her features smoothing out as the multi-color hue began to twist and spiral as the small wolf pup began to jump and run around. @Briza

Feeling the cold water press against his skin calmed Aleksandr down. He closed his eyes, letting the water fall over him like he had when he was outside. He moved his head, letting it sprinkle on his face. He was enjoying the shower too much, but he didn't care. His hand slid down his abdomen and slowly made its way lower...

Father Seraphim finished the dishes. They were long over due for a cleanse. They had been piling up in the sink for a week, now. He let out a small sigh, glancing over at the bedrooms. His half smile re-appeared on his face. He had sometimes wondered what it was like to have an actual daughter. Of course, he had many children in his parish--as he was the priest, but none he loved more than his own. Nonetheless, he would take care of Sylvia. He glanced at an icon hanging on the wall of the kitchen. It was the icon of the Last Supper. Aleksandr had painted it diligently. Perhaps, Alekandr's lack of interest in iconography was what made his artwork so notable. He rubbed his temples, reminding himself that the rest of the iconography was painted by his late wife...

He shook his head and carefully and quietly made his way to his own room to read and rest. Vespers was tonight, of course, and he wanted to at least be functional for his own job.

Aleksandr's eyes fluttered a bit, as he let out a soft moan, biting his lip. His shoulders relaxed as his hand dropped to his side. The cold water continued beating on him as his legs became numb. He drew in several breaths. God, I needed that. He turned to the shower faucet and twisted the nobs off. The water died down. He stepped out of the shower and opened the only cabinet available in the bathroom--pulling out a towel. He dried himself off, feeling much more relaxed than before.

As he dried himself off, he realized in his storm of anger, he had forgotten to get an extra pair of clothes. He stared at his crumpled laundry on the floor. He could either put his old clothes back on and go get new clothes or wrap the towel around him and get new clothes. He closed his eyes. Sylv is probably asleep. He drew in a nervous breath, wrapping the towel around his waist. He opened the bathroom door carefully and quickly jetted to his bedroom. He peaked his head inside, seeing that Sylvia appeared to be asleep. He carefully walked to his closet and closed the door to change. @Arista

Sylvia shifted and rolled onto her other side, her fingers twitching as if reaching to hold something she seeked to hold. Her brows furrowed as the faint scent of soap filled her nose, her lips thinning as she tried to get comfortable once more. A shiver raced up her spine as a shiver ran along her spine, pale fingers twitching once more.

Wide gray-blue eyes glanced around the snow-covered cleaning, bare pale arms rising to wrap around her shivering form. The sound of a twig snapping to her right had her head whipping up and in that direction. A hiss escaping her lips when her feet sunk into the snow. The sound of another twig snapping filled her eyes and had her heart picking up speed. Her eyes widened further when she caught a glimpse of what hid within the trees.

"Loup garou..." She hissed as she took a step back, her feet sinking further into the frigid snow. She watched as the shadow slowly emerged from its hiding place, the sudden gust of frigid air spurring Sylvia into action. She knew it was stupid, she knew running would ensure her death, she just had to move.

Spinning on her bare feet, she took off and instantly regretted it when a roar echied behind her. She ran into the trees and focused all her attention on out-running the creature she could hear behind her. A scream escaped her lips when she felt claws slash suddenly just above her back, she ducked and rolled and continued running. The wind bit into her skin, her chest ached and her legs threatened to give from under her, she just couldn't stop.

She had to keep running. She had to.

Sylvia shuddered and curled into a ball, her fingers gripping her long strands of hair and tugging. She curled up and shivered once more.

She never once awoke from her slumber. @Briza

After dressing himself, Aleksandr picked up his towel and quietly opened the closet door. He glanced at Sylvia who was curled into a ball, shivering. Holding his towel in one hand, he stretched out his other hand. He didn't like having nightmares, which happened more than often--despite being used to them, he still did not like them. His hand quivered a bit, considering it was the one he used in the shower. His hand pressed against her shoulder, nudging her gently, "Sylv?" he narrowed his eyes, concentrating on her.

He suddenly withdrew his hand and took a step away from her, straightening his back. Maybe he shouldn't try to wake her. She was tired, after all. He shuttered a bit, glancing away from her. I'm sick, he told himself. @Arista