as days go by / return

[Hope Arcanium]

It had become quite chilly since she had left.

Her birthday had passed, and she didn’t even realize it due to the fact she constantly had her nose in a book when she wasn’t moving around trying to find her way back to Sunhaven. The former Solbinder had only meant to go on a research trip and to collect herbs for the coming months, but ended up spending a few weeks alone in the wilderness. No one was with her, and there had not been a single sentient life form during her time exploring.

With no one around to distract her from her thoughts, she had become depressed and contemplated remaining isolated in the vast forest lands unclaimed by any groups. Her self-doubt was getting to her, eating away at what little will she had left to do something meaningful with her life. She had practically vanished from camp, and in the eyes of her clanmates was likely seen as abandoning them and her responsibilities as one of their official healers.

Would anyone miss her? Had they even realized she went out and like an inexperienced child, had gotten lost in the middle of no-man’s-land? Would everything still be the same as when she was there and active? Would they even welcome her back completely, without resentment or flat out rejecting her? She wouldn’t know unless she carried her tired, sore and aching body back home.

Enough was enough- she couldn’t stand being alone for so long. It damn near drove the medic insane. She could never be left alone with herself, for things would take a turn for the worse and the mutated domestic would likely give herself up to her feral instincts or harm herself or others. None of those possibilities yielded positive results. Bottom line was: Never leave Leona by herself for extended periods of time, or when she is having mental health flare ups.

Eventually, the alabaster mutant feline arrived at the border of Sunhaven, exhausted and afraid. She had bandages wrapped around her left foreleg and her right shoulder, the bandages bore a deep, dark scarlet color characteristic of dried blood. The former Solbinder knew she needed to have them replaced with fresh coverings, but was too physically weak to do so on her own.

With a heavy sigh, Leona gently laid down, hoping to rest her weary limbs and body. With what strength and breath she had left, she called out,

“H-Hello? Any-one there...?”

They could kill her if they wanted. The thought suddenly struck her- Memories of her time in the Pitt as a slave began to resurface- and her calm and relief turned to fear and anticipation for a merciless beating from those barbaric animals. This weakness would be the end of her...

She knew it.