Page 94 of Soulmateless
Clara’s words even lift my spirit a little. She's better with kids than she realizes.
Sabina nods with a sniffle. She lifts her head and wipes her face. “I don't want you to die.”
“Oh little one…” Clara croons.
And then, to my surprise, Sabina leans towards Clara, her weight shifting over my arm. I wince as my wounds start to flare from her movements but I hand her to Clara as she scoops her up.
“We're here now,” she whispers. “We're alive. No one is dying. We are all alright.”
Sabina keeps wiping at her eyes, before resting her head on Clara's shoulder. It falls silent between all of us as Clara bounces her, placing a hand on her back.
Amid all the chaos, it's sweet to see Sabina open up to Clara so quickly. I smile at them. “I told you she would like you.”
She lets out a titter, keeping her gaze on Sabina. Clara is a beautiful woman, in skin and in heart. The person that's fated to be with her is so unbelievably lucky.
I dread the day she finds that person. If it weren't for soulmates, I would give myself to her.
I shake my head. No. That's selfish. I shouldn't even be thinking that.
Stings in my arms earn my winces. I need to get checked on but the other kids need me first. “I have to figure out what we're doing with the kids.”
Clara bares her teeth. “No. You have to get stitched. I'll take care of Sabina while you're gone.”
The pain strikes my arms and legs again, and I suck air through my teeth. Even though I'm in pain, I'm not the priority. “Not before the children. I have to take care of them first.”
“But your wounds!”
“I'm okay enough to check on everyone. I have to put them first.”
Clara frowns and whispers, “But those wounds are deep and they clearly…” she glances at Sabina. “... discomfort you. You won’t be able to help in those conditions.”
“I'll go as soon as all the kids are taken care of. I promise.”
She narrows her eyes, but releases a defeated sigh. “Fine. I'll have Sabina so you can do that. Just be quick.”
I give her and Sabina a small hug. “Thank you. I'll be back, Sourdough.” I peck Sabina on the head before I head into the crowd.
I can almost feel Clara's eyes blazing through my back. The way she stares me down reminds me of how Mother woulddemand Father to get checked when he was injured. Though aggressive, there's a lovingness behind it.
It's always nice to know that someone has my back.
???
I had a chance to round up the kids and help staff figure what to do, before the pain really got to me. The staff sent me to the hospital so I was able to get stitches and pain killers. Grandmother and my parents came to the hospital to smother my brother and I in hugs and kisses. Soon after, I was able to leave the hospital and help the kids again.
Most of the kids were put in a hotel because of the damage to the orphanage. The other kids have been injured and are spending the night in the hospital where Erasmus is helping. No one has told us how they are.
A group of kids was assigned to each staff member in good standing with the orphanage. A security guard roams the halls to ensure the kids are safe.
I have just gotten Sabina to settle in with two older girls in a connecting room, one being seven and the other twelve. Eventually all of them fall asleep.
I walk into the connected room, when I'm greeted by Clara sitting on the edge of the bed covered in tan comforters. Her own wounds haven't been taken care of yet though everyone insisted she should go to the hospital. I can tell the wounds hurt, with her watering eyes and subtle wincing. She hides her pain well enough though.
I yawn, my body slouched, ready to fall into the fluffy bed sheets
But I try to mask my exhaustion with a grin. “Hey…”
“You're exhausted,” she murmurs.
