Untouchable by Marii Solaria

Chapter 16 – The Grief

“Each of us has his own rhythm of suffering“-Roland Barthes

Lyra came over and gently lifted my

Mer fingers wazed at my feeding tube as gentle as a feather, face

contorting into one of pain. “Did this hurt?”

I nodded. “Yeah. But, after a while, it isn’t so bad. Dr. Nava says I might have this in me for a while since I

can’t eat.”

“That must suck.” Jackie cringed, her hand on her forehead in her dramatics. “If I couldn’t have my supply of Lead Omega Cleo’s special buffalo wings, I’d wither away to nothing!”

“Didn’t you just have a plate full of wings last night?”

“Yes. It’s been forever!” She groaned,

Lyra chuckled to herself. “I can’t wait for you to find your mate. Having one might humble you.”

“Well, wherever she is, she’ll just have to deal with the fact that I’m a dramatic bit–err, gal.” I tick my head to the side, my eyes questioning her. “I’m a lesbian.”

“Ah.”

“If there was anyone you would want to have at your side, it’s Jacqueline,” Lyra explained to me. It fed Jackie’s ego because her smile grew wider if that was even possible. “In fact, once you’re well enough, she’ll give you a

tour of our land.”

“Please. You won’t admit that I’m the best tour guide ever. The kids love me!”

“Most of them do, anyway.” Lyra took my hands into hers. “Besides our resident energetic wolf-”

“I prefer, ‘resident weirdo.“”

eyes playfully. “How are

bad. At least the liquid food and water stayed in my stomach this time. But I’m still in pain.” My hand reached to the back of my head where my wound was. Pain pulsated like a dull throb, the lesion ever so present. I then turned to Jackie

you.

to me.

lovely name to a lovely face. It’s nice to meet you too!” Jacqueline leaned

want to be touched, yet. You did nothing wrong… I

blinked in understanding, her smile reassuring. “I apologize for being too forward. I want you to

I didn’t want to be touched by anyone. Lyra made me feel safe and secure, which was why I didn’t flinch away from her touches, Jackie had an overall amazing vibe and vibrant personality, but I

Chapter

excitementtin five minutes than anyone else has in years. My hund unconsciously went to my hair again and I cringed at th heavy matting I feel under my fingers. Jackie stand up and leaned over to look at

me to help with

You want to

must treat it like royalty, Judging by your curls, they are a little doser than my tight ones. Type 4A hair from the looks

looked at Lyra for reassurance. The woman smiled, squeezing my shoulder to offer

bound her eyebrows mischievously and cackled, only to earn a smack on the back of

Violet Seals, the Beta Female, to come in with a bag full of sweet–smelling products and combs. Every product had scents ranging from tropical but to cherry candy. I had no one to touch my hair besides Nurse Mei, so I was incredibly nervous. But both Wales and Jacqueline made my experience comforting without effort. Detangling my hair was a challenging dear because my hair hadn’t had a decent wash in years. They lathered my hair with oils and creams and comited through all the loose and tight tangles careful to not yank my hair.

fallen out because of past mughness, but I didn’t mind. Each strand of hair that was pulled out of

curls are beautiful, baby girl,” Violet spoke in awe, massaging cities into my scalp. “Your hair is a little lopsided, weirdly cut.

explained in asty whisper, memories of Raima, Odessa, and

stop them?” Jackie asked.

me. I looked an my lap, allowing the mother- daughter duo to continue working on my

a close relationship, working together harmoniously to comb our the limits of this bird nest. The sensations awaken distant memories of when I was young, memorie I thought were long forgotten. Memories of my mother and the love she gave me many waghught qui to my heart and chest. Deep underneath all the pain she caused; the memories of her loving touches did not fade. I still remember how tender she used to be, her sweet scent of jasmine and cherries, and her amilles thuil of love and care. I was her baby

I no longer held love for my

face as I cried out for my mother and for what my mother used to be. The inner child that I thought

wept for what my family used

They tore my heart out and danced all over it. Raina was and always would be the most important person to them. They cultivated her to be the best Beta Female, while simultaneously tossing me into the

all the strength I could muster, silently begging to know why my family turned their backs on me. Her hands rubbed. smooth circles around my back, and soon, Violet and Jackie engulfed me in their arms. I was dead center in the middle of a group hug, fully aware that the entire hospital could

hate for my family festered in my

of blood hurts the most.

edge of my hospital bed with Dr. Nava. Violet and Jackie left a while ago after they successfully detangled and washed my hair. They braided my hair in two large cornrows that barely touched my shoulders. Nurse Mei redressed my head wound with clean gauze, discarding the bloody one into a hazardous waste bin.

bit uncomfortable.

hurt from my unexpected crying fit. “I’m sorry, I didn’t

over me…