My fingers curled around my elderly neighbor's shaking ones, and our heads and bodies kept low as we travelled through a vast, thick field. Beth's breathing was becoming louder and louder with each staggering step she took, and my concern shot high when she slowed to a stop, making me halt as well.

I could feel hot blood trickling down the back of my head, where I'd been punched and kicked by a lycan after she'd managed to capture me for a few minutes. I could still taste the female's hand in my mouth; I'd bitten her as I'd attempted to escape.

My father had fought and successfully killed her, and my parents, several neighbors and myself had immediately raced away from the town that was being invaded by lycans.

But now, we were being hunted.

My mother and father, and three other humans who'd travelled with us paused when Beth and I did. Frustration flashed in my mother's eyes, but softened as she saw the way Beth desperately inhaled.

I released her fingers to rub at her back, my eyes burning with unshed tears as she swayed on her feet. Sweat trickled down her forehead, and tears streamed down her wrinkled face.

My skin prickled with awareness; the lycans were nearing, and with each passing second, they were moving closer to us.

"I won't make it." Beth finally heaved out. Her fingers shook as she rubbed at her forehead, wiping away her sweat. Her dress was damp with her perspiration as well, and she continued to sway on her feet.

My father stalked forward, brushing by me to stand by her side. "Come on, Bethy. You just need to-"

"No!" Her voice cracked in the air, and I flinched at the heart wrenching sound.

Dismay was written across her face, and she used the handkerchief offered to her by one of my neighbors to wipe at her sweaty neck. Beth's lips trembled, and her head raised as she stared right into my father's eyes. "I can't go any further."

Tears trickled down my cheeks, and I felt my mother's presence behind me as she said, "I can help you. We can help you."

"I will slow you all down," Beth croaked. "You all need to leave. The lycans are coming. I will try to distract them, and you all will run."

"Beth," Desmond, my neighbor shook his head, despaired. "We can't do that to-"

A howl pierced the air, and I swallowed thickly, pressing back into my mother, who placed a hand against my shoulder and squeezed.

"Leave." Beth spoke through clenched teeth. Her eyes darted between us all. "Now! You can not convince me to go any further. I am too old and too weak. Please, just go."

Her words were firm, and her eyes shone with determination; she truly would not be convinced. I felt my stomach drop and rubbed at my tears with the back of my hand.

"Your child is bleeding, Oliver. You need to get her to safety." Beth pleaded with my father. "Just go, please."

My mother's fingers intertwined with my own. "I'm sorry, Beth." Her voice was low, and the rest of those around us were beginning to back away. My father adjusted the hat on his head, stepped forward to hug the woman tightly, before turning and following the others.

My mother's hand tightened around my own when I faltered, and the way Beth's teary eyes held my own even as I was pulled away made a sob climb up my throat.

We had just begun to reach the edge of the large field when we heard Beth's pain filled scream. The volume of it came and went, snarls and vicious growls at time overpowering her voice. Even from the distance, I could hear the sound of the lycans ripping apart her flesh, breaking her bones.

My vision dimmed momentarily as my heart raced in my chest, and I broke off into a run, ignoring my mother's hissed protests as I ran past my neighbors and father, hoping that the wind blowing in my ears would drown out the noises of death behind me.

I awoke drenched in my sweat, sucking in air, hoping that the tightness in my chest would ease. By my hand rested the phone which I'd used to call Hannes, and I hovered my fingers over it, fingers itching to dial his number again.

Before I'd fallen asleep, the topic of my past had came forth throughout me talking to Hannes. I'd spent almost three hours speaking to him at times about some aspects of my life as a child and throughout prison.

Talking with him, not just about my past however, had helped to ease the way my mind had begun to race as the night approached, as memories of the recent attack had surfaced and I'd become extremely anxious.

I'd fallen asleep shortly after our conversation, and now, here I laid on my bed, staring at the ceiling after dreaming about my past. My mind kept going back to Beth's teary eyes and I swallowed the groan that had begun to creep up my throat. That had been an extremely horrible day.

I casted my eyes towards a clock resting on the bedside table, and then the window; the sun had yet to rise. I wiped at my eyes and slowly sat up on the bed, grimacing at the way my shirt clung to my skin.

I took it off, pulled on another and made my way towards the bedroom door, only to yelp in fright at the sight of Athena standing behind it when I opened it.

Her hand was raised, as if she had intended to knock on the door. Her own clothes were a bit damp, and her thick hair was pulled up into a beautiful afro. She studied my expression, the way I placed a hand against my chest as I caught my breath, feeling my fast heartbeat.

"I just returned from my morning run," Athena murmured before I could say anything. Her eyes were more piercing than they usually were as she continued to watch me. "I heard noises upstairs and wanted to check on you. Is everything okay?"

The way she asked that question, her voice so gentle and leaking with genuine concern made my eyes water. I cleared my throat, blinking rapidly as I looked behind her. "Erm, yes. I just had a bad dream." I rubbed a hand against my throat. "I was going to get some water from the kitchen."

Athena did not look convinced. "Okay. I will join you."

I could feel her eyes on me as we walked, and when I reached the kitchen sink, and began to pour myself a glass of water, Athena placed a hand against my back, her face lowering close to my own. "Are you certain that you're fine, Olivia?"

I nodded, but tears began to slide down my cheeks, and the glass began to overflow with water. Athena reached over to turn off the tap, took the glass from my hand and placed it on a counter before pulling me to her, enwrapping me into a warm, comfortable hug. I stiffened at first, but eventually returned the hug, allowing myself to cry silently.

I didn't know how long we stayed in that position, but when Athena pulled away, my tears had slowed. She cupped my face in her hands, thumbs wiping away the stray tears. "Do you want to talk about it?"

I searched her open, kind face, stared into her eyes which mirrored her son's, before nodding. Athena dropped her hands away from me, but continued to stand before me, listening carefully as I spoke, not leaving out any detail. I explained the events that had led to my family and neighbors running into the field.

By the time I was finished, my throat was hoarse, and I felt tired. Athena guided me to a stool by the kitchen counter, and sat beside me, saying nothing for a short while, simply watching me as I drank the warm water in the glass quickly, taking no pauses.

It was only when I placed it down, cupping the glass, that she spoke.

"Did talking to me seem to relax you?" Athena asked. My eyes remained on the glass, and I absent-mindedly tapped a nail against it as I responded,

"Somewhat," I glanced at her. "I do feel a bit better, I suppose."

I could feel her eyes on me as I leaned backwards and folded my arms across my chest. My cheeks felt stiff, and I could feel my dried tears upon them. I met her gaze when she suggested, voice soft,

"Perhaps you should look into visiting the man on that card of yours."

My eyebrows furrowed. "Card?"

"Yes. The one I saw you with whilst I was making casserole," Athena tilted her head at my surprised expression. "Alan. He's a therapist, remember?"

At my slow nod, she went on, "Perhaps you should consider going to him sometime soon."

I sighed quietly, not in annoyance, but more so because I was feeling so tired. I rubbed at my face and then particularly at my cheeks as I murmured, "I'll see if I can make an appointment for a session sometime this week."

************

"Where are you leading us?" Willow called to me. I looked over my shoulder to her, heaving the bag I'd carried with me to training further up my shoulder.

She, like myself, looked tired. I had been able to get a bit of rest after speaking with Athena early this morning, but my eyes still burned with the need for rest.

Willow and Jeremiah had worked me hard today, and I longed for sleep, but I wanted to pop by Helda's home and make sure she was okay after what had happened the day before.

"I'm going to visit Helda." I told Willow, quickening my pace. Lower, under my breath, I muttered to myself, "And then sleep for five hours straight."

Helda's home wasn't too far from Hannes' house, so I got there in less than five minutes. When she opened her door, she appeared slightly taken aback by the sight of the warriors and myself.

"I'm sorry for passing by unannounced," I told her. "I just wanted to check on you."

Helda's smile was one which showed her surprise. "I'm fine. I was a bit freaked out yesterday, but I'm good." She assured me. I nodded, and began to step backwards, but she took a hold of my arm.

"I was wondering if you'd like to come by and have dinner with me this evening around five? You could help me make some of the creamed potatoes I'd been telling you about."

I was nodding before she'd even finished speaking, and my stomach growled with hunger. "Yes. I would love that."

Helda's head lowered in a nod, but my attention swayed from her when I felt Jeremiah place a hand against my shoulder.

"Sophie is coming over. I think she wants to speak to you."

My eyes flickered to Jeremiah's face. "Are you sure it's me who she wants to speak to?"

He scowled playfully and I laughed, turning back to Helda and promised, "Later then."

She nodded again, and the warriors and myself walked down the stairs of her porch, heading towards Sophie. She beamed and greeted everyone, before turning to me,

"I've heard that Hannes has left the pack. The hunters and I plan to go out searching for some rabbits this week, and we wanted to know if you both would like to join us? Any idea on when he'll be back?"

"Oh," My mind flashed to the sound of rabbits' bones being broken by the hunters. "I'll see. Depends on whether or not I'll be training that day. As for when Hannes will be back, I think he'll be returning tomorrow evening."

The sound of Helda's door closing could be heard distinctly, and the noise was made just as I had thought to introduce her to Sophie. I shrugged a shoulder and Sophie and I spoke for a couple more minutes before I walked back to my house.

It was only just as I reached the door that the skin on the back of my neck began to tingle, and I hesitated from entering the home. I slowly turned around, looking past the warriors and glanced around towards my surroundings. I saw nothing out of the ordinary, but the strange feeling of me being watched remained.