Broken, Broken Bells

Whiskers watched her companion with a worried look upon her face. Even Ears, who liked to pick fun and even be a jerk at times seemed to be worried as he looked at the she wolf. She was rambling, sounding half out of it… she was terrified, not understanding… and so worried about being forced to that life she was in before. It caused her anxiety, that fear, to roll off of her body in waves. The more she stood there, trembling, looking so damn helpless… the devil groaned. He didn’t like this at all. He had never seen Bells scared before, and certainly not to this extent. Hell she looked damn near ready to cry. This wasn’t like her at all. Even his snarkier comments had died on his lips and he wasn’t really sure what he could do for her.

A voice, feminine, reached those in the den and Bells recoiled as though she’d been struck, giving a yelp as she tried to reel back too fast and agitated the wound. It caused her to stumble and fall back against the wall of the den, eyes widened as she looked at the den entrance with horror. “G-go away!” Her voice cracked, practically pleading as her courage failed her. The truth of what she was, just how broken she was, being laid out before wolves she had no reason to trust. She was stupid, stupid and naive for coming here. For showing weakness… they were going to hurt her. She’d be made a slave again… she would never, ever truly be free.

“Bells shh…” Whiskers dared to come closer. She knew how flightly a panicked creature could be. Though she was not as older as the wolves outside the den among their trio she was the oldest… and she felt it her responsibility to care for both Bellamy and Ears as though they were her kids. The badger watched her with sympathy, trying to soothe the young female. “It’s going to be okay… we’re not going to let anything happen… Ears and I are here… it’s okay… I promise it will be okay.”

Ears groaned again and popped out of the den in the next moment. He had heard Acere, but given how Bellamy was reacting he doubted she registered a single word the male said. The devil shifted uneasily on his paws and decided the best way to get the situation across was to come out and say it.

“Sorry, but your words aren’t gonna get through to her right now. She’s scared out of her damned mind.” The devil frowned, glancing at Acere. “It’s not your fault either. Your packmate did the right thing, and to be fair Whiskers tried to warn her. In her eagerness to locate you she ran off before Whiskers could get the warning out. She just doesn’t understand what’s going on and she’s… a mess.” He fidgeted uncomfortably. “I’ve never seen her scared before… Never seen her cry. I mean sure she’d get sad and stuff but…” He turned his gaze to the healer. “Drifa right? Do you have something I could take in the den to try and get her to eat or something? She needs to calm down before you’ll even be able to get near her. She’s pressed against the back wall like it’s the only thing she has to keep her safe.” He glanced towards the den.

“Whiskers is in there trying to talk to her… and block her exit. If she finds an opening she going to try and run.”