Page 9 of Ryld's Shadows
“I don’t have a counseling appointment. I was underground. The subway…the…the shadows…” The beasts weren’t really shadows. A shadow was just the absence of light, but when he tried to explain what they really were, it just created confusion. “Did they hurt anyone?”
Officer Flax spoke softly, moving to his side as if to herd him toward the elevators. “Not that I’ve heard, bud. It’s okay. You’re here now. And Lysander’s expecting you even though you don’t have an appointment. He’s kinda worried.”
Ryld sighed. “Lysander is very kind. He can’t help. Not really.”
The human officer took a step toward Ryld, but Officer Flax held a hand up to stop him. “There’s lots of ways to help, you know. They’ve got showers up there and stuff.”
Ryld would rather go home, but he already knew they were unlikely to let him go there alone now. His head ached terribly, and he just wanted to get out of the light. He stared toward the elevator. Waiting, patience, delaying what he wanted were not things he did very well, but he knew it was what people expected of him. It was polite.
“He’s bleeding. He should go to medical,” the siren officer with them said in a sharp, too loud tone that made Ryld wince.
“Doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want.” Officer Flax was definitely herding now, slowly, toward the elevators even as they all turned to look at the trail of bloody footprints on the shining tiles. “Doesn’t look too bad, right?”
No one was grabbing him. That was good. Ryld thought if he started moving, maybe no one would. With a tiny sigh, he limped toward the elevator and only Officer Flax came with him, waving the others off as he punched the correct number for Counseling.
Lysander was waiting for them when the doors opened, so one of the officers must have called him. Phones were useful. Ryld found himself wanting one again.
“Goodness, there you are!” Lysander’s tail waved madly behind him, something Ryld had come to associate with strong emotions in fauns. “Cress called in. He’s a little banged up, but fine. Come in, come in. Would you like a shower and some clean clothes from the box? The nymphs brought all sorts of new things for the collection yesterday.”
Ryld looked down at himself. There had been times he had thought clothing ruined and had been surprised after they were washed, but he didn’t think this time the lovely fuchsia shirt would be salvageable.
“I need to go into the dark.”
“Of course, dear. Once you’re cleaned up, let’s get you settled in one of the cave environments. We can turn the lights all the way off if you need.” Now Lysander was herding, gently, though it made sense since the sooner they moved the sooner Ryld could escape the light.
More patience. More waiting. He must be polite, but he didn’t think he could bear it. He had made his arms stay loose at his sides while he walked here, but now he gave into the tension and curled them to his chest. “Now. Please.”
“Ungrateful brat.”
Lysander and Flax were the only ones near. They hadn’t spoken the words.
“Filthy.”
He turned, looking for the one who spoke, but couldn’t see her.
“Ryld,” Lysander spoke even more softly now. “That’s fine. If you’d rather have the dark first, that’s absolutely fine. Can I have one of the night-adapted medics come look at your foot while you rest?”
He nodded. He should speak, so people would understand him, but they wouldn’t really anyway, and he couldn’t make himself. Instead he stared at Lysander, willing him to make the darkness appear now, before it was too late.
“Come on, hon. This way,” Lysander whispered, and with a hand barely on his arm, guided, got them moving, his little hoofs tapping on the tiles, then silent when they reached the carpeted hallway to Counseling.
He knew where the caves were. He had appointments there sometimes. They weren’t far. But it felt far. So many steps until they were finally there, and Lysander turned the lights off as he’d promised. Lysander kept his promises.
