Transforming Alone...

[edenblakeney]

Eden lay on the ground and squeezed her eyes shut, the pain forcing its way through her body. Everything ached, burnt...

The pain was no better and no worse than it had ever been, but the emotional pain ripped through her more strongly than the tearing of her skin ever could. To know that she was alone, after allowing herself to get used to James

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[seekingjames]

James figited in his seat by the window, watching the hands of the grandfather clock in the corner of the common room. The moon was well up, and Eden would have transformed by now. Guilt wracked his conscience. Being angry with her over this was no reason to let her go through such terrible pain alone. He imagined he could hear a howl on the wind.

Growling to himself he picked up his back and began the long walk down to the wolf's cell.

It was quiet when he got there. He whispered the unlocking charm and cautiously opened the door.

[edenblakeney]

Eden lay on the ground, staring out at the moon shining a stripe across her back. Her ears pricked up at the sound of the door creaking, the hinges moving as it was pushed open.

Sitting up carefully, Eden couldn't help the hope that burnt in her chest. Please be James...

A dark head appeared through the gap and Eden barked a sound of welcome, howling softly to show she was herself, and that she was so, so happy to see him.

[seekingjames]

He crept into the small room, closing the door carefully behind him. "Hello," he said softly, kneeling beside her with caution. "If you want me to go..."

[edenblakeney]

Eden looked at him with mournful eyes and whined a sad sound to him, wishing she had her voice.

She pushed her head against his chest and whined again, hoping he understood that she was sorry and she wanted him there, that it had been awful without him.

[edenblakeney]

Eden slept comfortably and peacefully, feeling the rise and fall of James' chest against her back, his hand resting on her fur. The time passed so quickly as she slept, waiting for the moon to wane for another month.

At last, the sun began to overtake the moon in the sky and Eden felt her skin begin to prickle a she got ready to transform once more. Rolling away from James, she stood up, jumping to the floor, not wanting to fall or hurt James while she changed. She howled, the prickles becoming painful as her fur shrank and the change began.

Whimpering, she scratched at herself, her head, her chest, her sides, trying to stop the pain by scratching it out of her. Blood welled, but the pain didn't stop. Howling, her body began the exhausting change back to human. She writhed and thrashed as she was forced back to herself, her skeleton breaking and reforming once more.

[seekingjames]

James turned his head to the wall, knowing he couldn't help and that watching would make neither of them feel better. He waited until the horrible screeching sounds had subsided before rolling off the bed and hurrying to her, taking her naked, trembling form in his arms.

[edenblakeney]

Eden sobbed, clutching trembling, bleeding arms around him. She cried into his shoulder, whispering his name, and in that moment, she realised why he'd been trying to help her, reckless as it was; this must be torture for him. She knew he cared about her, and he just wanted her to be better.

"I'm sorry," she whispered harshly, her throat raw from screaming, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it, any of it..."

[seekingjames]

"Hush," he said, rocking her gently. "Hush, now. I know."

[seekingjames]

He held her close, shaking his head. He couldn't think of anything else to say that would change her mind, and he so wanted to, but he didn't have the heart.

[edenblakeney]

Going eagerly into his embrace, Eden put her forehead on his shoulder and sighed, welcoming the arms around her.

"We'll talk about this cure business another time, I promise. Just...not now..." she said, aware of how terribly tired she sounded. The stress of the change to wolf without James was taking its toll on her, and she knew she'd never be able to stand on her own two feet.

More tears seeped from her eyes, onto his shirt, as the highs and the lows of the last week finally felt over.

[seekingjames]

"Oh, Eden," he said sadly. "I just wish there was more I could do." He stroked her hair, letting her cry it out.

[edenblakeney]

She hiccuped, trying to stop crying. Her emotions were always so raw at this time. "You do more than you know," she promised, clutching at him as if he were the only thing stopping her from falling apart.

"I need to sleep," she whispered, needing help to get up and move but not wanting to upset him more by showing how weak she was.

[seekingjames]

"Me too," he said. "At first I thought maybe Dad just wanted to give me more freedom. Now I'm wondering if he's just ignoring me altogether."

[edenblakeney]

Eden moved closer, hoping to comfort him. "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I hope its not because of me, but really, he seemed fine with me before. I just...James, you're such a good person, I can't imagine why your father would do this to you."

[seekingjames]

"It's not you," he promised. "I know it's not you, he's not like that. Never mind... he's probably just busy. I'm probably just making something out of nothing."

[edenblakeney]

"I don't know; you'd know if something was wrong, and if it's bothering you, it's something."

Eden sighed, wishing things were easier for them. "No matter what happens," she whispered, "you'll always have me. I promise."

[seekingjames]

"I'll... try," he said. "Will you wake up if I have to go to class?"

[edenblakeney]

She smiled. "It's all I can ask of you. If our roles were reversed, I'd feel the same way. As for waking me up, I have no idea. You're more than welcome to stay here, if not, I doubt I'll be aware enough to actually notice you leaving." It was a lie, she'd sense the absence of his presence instantly, but she didn't mind. She liked saying goodbye to him when he had to go off to class.

[seekingjames]

"Okay," he said. "Only there's that Transfiguration paper due in a few days, and I haven't really... ah... got around to it."

[edenblakeney]

She rolled her eyes, even though he couldn't see it. Her sigh made it pretty clear though. "Bring it by after classes and I'll let you look at mine, and help you with any of the ideas or whatever."