Submission novel Chapter 6

Sansa trailed Tala as she exited the room and she noticed that her guide seemed to be relieved to have moved on as she closed the door behind her. An explanation for Tala's anxious behavior was never given, and in fact she dismissed what had happened entirely, progressing through the second passage until they were back into the familiar kitchen.

Sansa leaned against the cold marble of the countertop and watched as Tala busied herself in the refrigerator.

"It's amazing how a simple glass of cold milk and a turkey sandwich can make you feel so much better.” Tala said as she handed her attendant the meal. Sanss bit into the sandwich, she hadn't realized how hungry she was until the meat hit her tongue. She gulped the milk and the rest of the meal hastily, feeling much more content now that her stomach was full.

"Wow, you really were hungry.” Tala observed with a smile. Sansa colored in embarrassment.

Tala chuckled, “Would you like another?"

Sansa shook her head negatively and yawned. She wondered what time it was, and was glad to see a clock set on the microwave. It was still early, only seven o'clock in the evening, but she was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. She wished that this was all a horrible nightmare, and when she awoke from dreams she would find that she was still safe at home.

Tala rocked her chin sideways and gestured for Sansa to follow her, “It's been a long day, probably a long past few days, actually. Come on, I'll walk you to your room."

Sansa didn't object but followed deferentially as she had all around the house. Tala stopped in front of the door to Sansa',s room, admiring the carved out picture of the two wolves that stared back at her. She turned to face the other woman before leaving and reached out to grab her hand.

"I know that right now it seems a little overwhelming ... probably scary, too.” She looked down at her feet, and then back up to meet the green eyes of her charge, “But it will get easier, and it's really not that bad. I wish there was something that I could say, that would make it ... better somehow.” She sighed and brushed past Sansa, “I'll see you in the morning." Once inside the bedroom Sansa replaced what she had disrupted in the room earlier, and then she dug through the dresser drawers until she found a warm pair of flannel pajamas to change into before sliding under the warm fur-covered blankets.

A beam of moonlight shone through the window from the darkness and she cuddled in deeper as wind rattled against the glass pane. She shivered in response to the sound of the howling that it produced as it whistled through the wood frame of the house, feeling like she would never be able to sleep in this strange place. She buried her head into the pillow and before she realized it she found herself deep in slumber.

Sansa was laughing, watching Alex,playing in the sandbox as the sunlight danced over his red hair. It was so warm out and relaxing that she didn't think she'd ever want to leave.

Suddenly there was darkness as black clouds began to roll in the heavens, blotting out the sun. Sansa swallowed and stood to her feet as a rush of anxiety and fear surged through her. She heard a snarling growl to her side and turned to face the noise. Her heart leapt into her throat to see an enormous black wolf glaring back at her. He was the most fearsome looking beast that she had ever seen, with eyes so intimidating and golden that they seemed to burn into her flesh. His lips curled upward to reveal rows of dagger like teeth. He crouched, and in a fleeting instant he launched himself from the ground, springing at Sansa''s throat. Sansa lunged forward with a start. Blankets flew away from her body as the momentum of her forward progression took them. She sat panting as sweat dripped from her, and it took awhile before reality sank in. She recalled her dream and tears of remembrance began to flow freely from her eyes until they soaked the blankets in her lap. She sobbed into her hands, shaking as the force of her tears jerked her. She missed her son so much, missed being able to hold him in her arms. The only comfort she had was the unlikely promise that Lexer had made her. Had he not promised that she would see her family again? She wrapped her arms around her pillow and sobbed into it, soaking the fabric with her tears.

Sunlight streamed through the window and Sansa blinked the sleep away from her eyes. It had been a rough night and she felt as if she'd been run over by a semi truck. Her stomach hurt from the spasmodic jerking wrought from her tears and her eyes were burning and still wet. She sighed. Everything pained her. Her head was pounding so loudly she could have sworn she could hear it. But most of all, it was her heart that hurt the worst. She wondered if it was possible for a person to die of heartache. There was a knock on the door but she didn't move to answer it, and she didn't need to.

Tala peeked from around the corner, “Hey there, sleepyhead. It's almost noon. Aren't you getting out of bed?"

"No.” Sansa drew the blankets in tighter around her, “I'm not leaving this bed until someone takes me home."

Tala frowned, and then, much to Sansa's surprise, she crawled into the bed and snuggled under the blankets next to her.

"I bet you miss your family.” Tala spoke as she adjusted the blankets, “Will you tell me about them?"

Sansa looked at her apprehensively at first, but then sighed in yielding to the inquiry, “Whom do you want to know about ... my son?"

Tala's face became sober and her eyes softened, “You have a little boy?"

Sansa smiled ruefully and picked at the wet fur on the bed. “His name is Alex he's only four.” She stopped her hands in the blankets, “I miss him so much it hurts."

Tala frowned for a moment, “What about your son's dad?"