TWELFTH CHAPTER:

---Merida’s POV---

To say my world exploded was an understatement, for I still had questions and just could feel that there was more to come. They were being gentle with me and careful of what they said. Then again it helped with explaining Nadia.

She refused to explain what she was to me. The first time I felt her in my head, I thought I was going crazy or that I had schizophrenia. Then the first time she acted on my behalf I knew she was more than just a voice. It never hurt or felt scary when she came forward. It should have or at least I should have been unaware of her actions but no it just felt like a sister was stepping up for me. The craziest part is that I thought she might be my wolf, like I was a shapeshifter and she, my wolf. That she denied profusely and then proved.

How did she prove it? Quiet easily. She pointed out a werewolf to me and then admitted to that person that she knew what they were. Their reaction was proof that I wasn’t a werewolf and that things existence in the shadows. Oh, you want to know who the werewolf is that’s easy, it’s Ms. Fitch. It’s one of the reasons she’s my favorite teacher and the best person to talk to about what I was experiencing. She was surprised but she did help, by confirming that I was not a werewolf.

I had been hoping to ask more questions but when my big sis Maeva showed up and with breakfast for everyone. I couldn’t stay mad, especially when the hospital delivered what they called breakfast. So, I just talked some with Sarah, not about much, just really girl talk. We had a lot of things in common.

Like what kind of guys, we like, more like what celebrity actors we swoon for. Our favorite late night TV shows; Off Beat Cinema. Or what music we listen to when doing homework; The Rolling Stone, Greenday, and Korn. Then as a reward for whatever we accomplished, Backstreet Boys. Though as soon as that was said we started going down a hole of us talking about which bands we preferred, what genre and which songs we also preferred. She was really nice, and I loved talking with her. Though our pleasant atmosphere was shattered with my father’s arrival.

“Merida how stupid can you be to step in front of a moving vehicle?” he demanded as he burst into the room.

“What?” was my only response.

“Now hold it right there Mr. Cogswell!” sis Maeva shouted over me and drew my dad’s attention to her. I was thankful for her interceding, but I was fearful of his reaction to Crispin and Ericson being in the room.

*Nadia are you there?* I reached out to her. I knew Crispin would protect me, but she already knew how to handle my dad.

“Who are these strange men in my daughters’ room?” my dad bellowed, causing me to flinch and Sarah to sit next to me on the bed, as she wrapped me in her arms. She really is acting more as a mother than my own mother ever did with me.

“If you just listen Mr. Cogswell…”

*Girl, I’m here and I’ll help if he tries anything but let’s give Cry a chance to do his job.* Nadia told me and then retreated. I didn’t need her to explain. She was exhausted and needed more rest. She had surfaced twice the other day and even protected me from pain from the car accident and landing.

“Ms. Drew, I understand you are invested in my daughter staying alive long enough to testify in your little case. But I will draw the line at hiring bodyguards.” My dad snapped as he turned to glare at me. “Now get out of that bed and get to the car. I’m taking you home now. I’m not paying for any of these.”

“So, it’s a good thing that I am paying. I Am Right Mr. Earl Cogswell.” Ericson boomed out as he slowly stood to his full height and Crispin moved to stand between us and my dad. I really didn’t notice how tall Ericson or Crispin were till I saw them towering over my dad. “I had wanted to introduce myself yesterday, but you never showed. So, I’ll do it now, I am Ericson Solace and I have been taking care of Merida.”

My dad has always been my biggest bully and the biggest man I’ve known, given he stood at 5’10. But now I could see he wasn’t the tallest or even the strongest. Ericson very easily dwarfed my dad at his 6’2 and Crispin had to look down at my dad given he was 6 feet tall.

Also, there was a noticeable difference in their muscles. It was clear that Ericson and Crispin worked out, with how their muscles tensed under their shirts. People have said that my dad live out of the gym with how long he is there, but I have always wondered what he does there. Because I have watched him take hours to get ready to go to the gym one day and then the next day just run out while shouting that he’ll be at the gym.

“Now Mr. Solace please remember this is a hospital.” Sis Maeva said, breaking the tension in the room. Crispin sat on my bed by my feet as my dad stiffly walked over to the couch and dropped on it. That’s when I noticed how white he looked. He really didn’t know he was being rude in front of Ericson Solace. I really needed to ask Ericson who he was.

I mean I have heard of the Solace electronics company that have been making a breakthrough in computers. In fact, the school had received enough computers that we now had enough to go around. We, the 8^th graders, didn’t have to share with the other grades in the new computer labs.  Some of the several new additions to the school year.

 “Mr. Cogswell your daughter has not been released nor has the doctor been in yet.” Sis Maeva explained while nodding her head in thanks to Ericson who walked past her to the windows.

*Why am I so comfortable with thinking of Mr. Solace as Ericson?  Isn’t it rude to do that?* I asked Nadia as I just realized how I was referring to him as. *Never in my life have I ever done this. Even Detective Maeva Drew is still Detective Drew in public, even after everything she has done for me. In truth I only even referred to her as my sister in private or in my head as sis Maeva.*

*Girl don’t overthink it. Besides, you still need to figure out who he is to you. Once that happens you will understand.* Nadia relays back. *Girl I’m sorry but I can’t stay awake anymore.* At that I felt her slip away. I suddenly felt empty without her at the back of my mind.