Aneira wakes with a jolt, wincing almost immediately at the flare of pain it causes. There's too much saliva in her mouth, body heavy in a way that has her brows furrowing. 

Slowly is clicks in her brain that she's not leaning agaisnt a wall or on the floor, instead she's leaning agaisnt a firm and warm body. Her right ear is muffled by the beating of Lucian's heartbeat, her left is greeted with the rumble of thunder from the storm still happening. 

Heavy eyes blink slowly up at the popcorn ceiling above, throat working to swallow the extra saliva. 

Her stomach revolts harshly, rolling even as she jerks to her feet. She barely makes it to the kitchen sink before her body is vehemently protesting. 

When she can finally breath without retching, she opens her watery eyes as a hand turns the water on. Nose wrinkling at what she finds, she straightens and wipes at her mouth. Making a mental note to write down black goo as a side effect of the bullet, she settles a hand on her stomach as the gunk washes down the sink. 

Her body aches she notes with a slow blink, right hand reaching down to touch her side. It doesn't feel like a burning itch anymore, calmer but still sensitive. Grimacing she leans over the sink to rinse out her mouth, then turns it off to return to Lucian's side. 

He's out cold, slightly slumped over agaisnt the wall he'd settled along. She lifts a hand to glide her fingers along his cheek, frowning slightly in concern at the chill she can feel emanating from his skin. His heartbeat is slow and steady, with careful fingers she smooths his hair down and stands. 

Now that her stomach feels more steady, she can feel hunger pricking at her. A glance outside shows that night has truly fallen, the sky a violet gray as lightning streaks across it. She remembers that Lucian needed a phone to make a call, and for that she needed to go out. 

Biting her lip and glancing down at Lucian's sleeping face, she inhales slowly through her nose and nods her head. 

"I'll be back, okay? Get some rest." She whispers softly, patting his cheek once before turning to the front door. 

Outside is chilly and wet, and yet people still mill about under umbrellas and jacket hoods. She glances around in hopes of finding someone using a phone, nose scenting the air for food all the while. 

"Do you need help?" A female voice from beside her makes her jump, snarl lost under a rumble of thunder. She'd somehow wandered from the apartment complex, and now stood in what looks like a market of some kind. Vendors call out jovially despite the rain, and the smell of food teases her senses. The woman beside her is dark-skinned and tall, curvy with black hair tied high. Something about her has Aneira stepping away, only to pause when a slender hand grasps her wrist. 

Heat travels up her arm like a pulse, warm and oddly comforting. "I..well a friend of mine needs to barrow a phone." She says without really meaning to, cheeks flaming immediately as the woman grins at her. 

"I can lend you one, and some good." Her tone has an accent to it, eyes bright and kind. 

"I'd be grateful to you. We lost our phones somewhere on the bus." She offers as the woman turns away, Aneira follows after a beat and a glance around. 

"Here you go, darling." Is said as she reaches a wooden stall, eyes landing on a phone and a two large containers of food. 

A whine draws her attention to a dog slowly approaching, a white-black border collie with what looks like a gray ball of fluff in its mouth. "That's Pipper, the pup we can't close to so we haven't given it a name. I'm Monique by the way." The last minute added on introduction had Aneira wincing, her lips lifting into a sheepish grin as she crouches down. The dog's scent is sour and yet spicy in a way, the pup wiggles and yips softly. 

"Aneira, and thank you very much." She says as she holds out a hand, black-tipped ears flattening against white fur for long moments before they relax. 

"A pleasure, I'll be seeing you around!" Monique says with a grin, Aneira licks her lips as she collects the items before her. 

"I'll pay you back for these. Thank you." Turning on her bare heel she takes off, keeping her treasures close to her chest to keep them as dry as she can. 

It's only as she reaches the apartment building, thar she notices she has some followers. The Scientists used to put dogs or wolves in with her, a test they said to see if she was advancing or not. 

They always either attacked her or themselves. Or hid and refused to move, only to be taken out by the guards. 

Pipper and the puppy were behind her, one tail wagging and the other its entire body. 

Opening the door they sprinted inside, shaking off water and leaving a puddle on the floor. Shaking her head she moves towards the stairs, clicking nails following behind her. 

The apartment is quiet when she opens the door, Lucian's heartbeat steady and slow. She sets the food and phone down, watching as the dogs settle in the living room curled up together. Exhaustion tugs her toward where Lucian rests, body shifting with little hesitation. 

She's gentle as she tugs him against her, curling around him in a protective manner. Sleeps claims her with little fight, head lowering onto the carpeted floor as her eyes slip closed. 


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