Helen hadn’t been meant to be there today, she’d been meant to be back in the rip in time. She fell forward as the rip opened and landed heavily, clearly unwell.
A silence had fallen then, each team-member unwilling to take her in. Claudia stepped forward eventually, picking the woman up. She turned to leave, ignoring the whispers and giggles.
She headed home and once there, tucked Helen in, noting the uneasy whimper Helen gave. She moved back to stand beside the bed, feeling the warmth of Helen’s forehead, brushing her hair back and moving away to find a flannel and soothe her.
Helen grew still, relaxed and Claudia sighed, tucking her own copper hair out of brown eyes, settling to watch over the woman. She hadn’t stirred in a long time when Claudia moved away to get ready to slip into her own bed.
The woman woke with a yelp and instantly seemed to shake, terrified. Claudia sighed as she settled beside the woman, soothing her quietly. “Shh… you’re safe.”
Helen grew still, although still trembling. “Don’t… don’t look at me.”
“Helen…” Claudia sighed. “I don’t know what happened back there, but you’re fine here… and as beautiful as ever.”
Email this story 
Print Story 
Add to reading list
