Page 4 of Shattered Trinket

“Is that what you want? To keep coming here to see me? If so, I’ll make arrangements for that,” Micah finally says softly, and I relax.

“Yes, please,” I tell him softly. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

I feel like I might be inconveniencing him, but before I can let that thought get away from me, Micah smiles softly.

“It’s no trouble. I’ll set you up for weekly appointments for now, and you have my card with my direct line so you can get in contact with me no matter what. Don’t be afraid to call me if you need to, Cozy. I know you’ve been through a lot, and things are changing in a big way for you. A good way, but a big way. You’ve got this, though.”

Micah stands up, passing me an appointment reminder card he filled out while talking to me. I take it, my fingers brushing hisfor just a second, and I don’t miss the little zing that vibrates up my arm before I pull back. I give him a closed-mouth smile and grip the card in my fist as it drops to my lap.

With my assurance that I’ll call if anything happens, Micah leaves me, and I’m left alone until Ripley comes bounding into the room an hour later, her omega not far behind her.

She’s still struggling with nightmares most nights, but she told me that the anxiety she feels from her alphas, beta, and omega is what’s really stressing her out these days. Not that she blames them for it.

“Ready to blow this popsicle stand?” she asks me with a grin as I stand, discharge papers and bag in hand.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I mutter, trying—and failing—to smile back.

Two

Cozette

My vision seems to narrow the closer we get to the exit, a knot forming in my belly that makes my hands tremble. I can see Kian just outside the doors, waiting at the car for us, but everything around him is somehow distorted. When we exit the sliding glass doors, Ripley is chattering away, completely oblivious to my internal meltdown. I can barely understand her over the dull roar in my ears as I take that first step outside. A shiver rushes down my spine as a breeze blows by, each step away from the building that has offered me solace since my rescue has my heartattempting to pound itself out of my chest and the roar in my ears reaching a deafening level.

I shuffle behind Ripley and River, doing my best to keep my panic to myself, but my usual sugary lemon scent has soured, and the breeze carries it away, alerting Ripley and River as they come to a standstill in front of me. Ripley’s lips move at a warp speed as she rushes to my side, carefully wrapping her arms around my shoulders, but I can’t hear a thing she says through the blood rushing in my ears.

I think I’m gonna pass out.

Ripley rubs my arm, her chest vibrating against me as she keeps talking, and frustrated tears well up in my eyes at not being able to hear her, prompting me to clench them shut to force them away. My hands tremble at my side and the black hole feeling in my gut threatens to swallow me whole.

Gods, why now?

This isn’t the first time I’ve been outside the hospital. Micah and I went on walks frequently during our sessions because he was frequently encouraging me to get fresh air and exercise once I was back up and walking.

But it is the first time I’m leaving a place that has become a safe space for me, knowing that—if life doesn’t kick me down anymore—I won’t be back here.

I’m scared.

Scared of what awaits me out there.

Scared of someone else coming along who’s an even bigger monster than Victor was.

Scared that I’ll never be me again.

Scared that I’m shattered beyond repair.

I inhale and exhale slowly—like Micah taught me—working to lower my heart rate and calm myself. The smell of truck exhaust and fried food tickles my nose, and something about the combination reminds me of home, which helps me breatheeasier. Ripley strokes my back, and her words finally break through, the sound of her voice helping to calm me just a fraction more.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be okay. You’re safe.”

Finally, when my heart stops pounding and the jittery vortex in my stomach stops raging inside of me, I open my eyes. Ripley is the first person I see, her kind hazel eyes noticeably worried as she looks me over.

“Better now?” she whispers when I give her a shaky smile.

I nod and she gives me a minute to catch my bearings before we’re once again moving towards the car where Kian and River are already situated in the front. Ripley holds the back door open for me while I climb in with my meager belongings before jogging around to the other side. Once she’s in the back beside me, we’re off, and my eyes are immediately drawn to the window.

Ripley tries to pull me into their conversations at first, but I can’t get myself to respond to anything she says. I stare wide-eyed out my window as the world passes us by, so she eventually gives up and Kian turns the radio on. As the nerves burn away, I relax. I watch enamored as giant, gleaming buildings turn into little shops that then turn into houses, big and small, then eventually, trees and pastures with horses and cows for miles and miles. I take in the scenery for the entire drive to Ripley’s parents, nervous about when we get there, but also… hopeful.

Hopeful that this will all work out, and that I’ll eventually live the life people keep telling me I deserve.