Nightshadow slapped away the gentle hands that stroked his face. He had no will to be touched by her. He remembered what she did the day before, or whenever she had done it. He only remembered it as yesterday, but if felt as if it happened much longer ago. He felt her hands touch his face again and he let out a groan of protest before twitching to get away from her.

“It is alright. I am here to help.”

His eyes opened wide to look up at the woman. His vision was blurred, but he could see her chocolate brown hair. He reached out and to touch her face and tried to wipe his eyes.

“She said you would probably be slightly delirious.”

“Dammi?”

“Darla, but close.” He tried to sit up, but his body refused to obey him. She smiled to him and pushed him back down. “Just lay down dear. Just let me finish bandaging you.”

Nightshadow obeyed her and felt her bandage his other wrist. His back hurt terribly, but he was not about to complain. Whatever she put on his wrists and on his ankles made him feel much better and he was content to let her continue.

“This is a dream,” he stated, “I just don’t understand why you are not Dammi.”

“No,” she said, “This is not a dream. Your sister brought me here to bandage you up and make you feel better. She said you have been in quiet a few fights. It looks like you have been playing with a lot of fire. Who is Dammi?”

“She is my wife, and she is the most beautiful girl I will ever seen…” Nightshadow said with a smile. If it was a dream, it was not a terrible one.

He could hear Darla’s smile. “That is so sweet. I hope my husband thinks the same of me.” She got him to roll over and looked at his back. “You have her name tattooed on you. That is so sweet.” He felt her put the herbs on his burns and he started to drift to sleep before a worry caught him.

“My sister brought you here? Why?”

“She said you had been fighting, I have already told you. She brought me here from quiet a distance. I am a healer, though I did not think I was that well known. She said that only I would do.”

Nightshadow rubbed his face. No… no no no… He touched his side and felt his ribs. He hadn’t fed in a long while. He touched his nose and felt the broken bones. He could not smell her. It was probably the only reason she was alive.

“Tell me about yourself?” he asked. Give me a reason not to kill you.