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Broken Home

Chapter Three

© Cederwyn Whitefurr

29thMay 2023

All Rights Reserved.

Alexander sobbed heartbrokenly, his body convulsing with each motion of emotion that crashed over him like the waves of a restless and merciless sea. He felt the weight of his past, memories of the Great War, and the atrocities he had witnessed - and been forced to do, flooding his mind. He recalled the faces of his fallen comrades, the blood-soaked battlefields, and the haunting screams of the dying and the despair of broken and shattered shoulders who just wanted to go home...

All the while, his leathery pads caressed and stroked the tranquillized Deer, somehow, through this touch of its warm flesh and fur, he began to find an island of peace amongst the terrifying memories that filled him.

In his moment of vulnerability, come an epiphany. Alexander made a decision - he was certain - was not his alone. He couldn't let the past define him anymore. He couldn't allow the pain and rage and guilt consume him - as it had ever since he'd returned from that pointless, tragic war.

This creature before him, this fragile Deer, had endured unspeakable suffering, at whatever cruel hands had abused and mistreated it - yet it had survived and escaped its own horrors. They were both broken, he was certain, in different wants, but maybe, just maybe, they could find healing together...

Alexander sniffled, and used the back of his hands to wipe away his tears as he took a shuddering breath, his resolve growing within him. He knew the path before them both would not be easy - yet he was determined to face the challenges as they came, and for the sake of this innocent creature that lay before him - he would fight one last time - not for himself, but for the Deer, who could not fight its own battles.

"I promise you," Alexander whispered, gently stroking the Deer's neck, feeling the slow, methodical beat of its heart. "We will heal each other. We will find a way to overcome and embrace the future, together. Together, we shall create a new future - side by side...I swear."

*

With a start and a pained whimper, the deer fought the residual effects of the tranquilser, desperately trying to resist being pulled back into the darkness that clouded its mind. As a surge of pain shot through its broken leg, it longed desperately for the drug-induced slumber.

Timidly twitching its ears, the deer strained, fighting through the fog in its mind, listening to the crackling and popping of the fireplace. One eyelid opened, the brown eye beneath slowly widening and rolling in its socket. It could sense the warmth of the cabin, and more terrifying to its young mind, it heard the slow, deep breaths of the...

Wolf... It's mind screamed at it, warning of the predator's presence and the imminent danger to the deer. Every instinct it had flared within it, warning it to run, to hide, to seek safety.

A whimpering bleat escaped the terrified deer, realizing it was trapped and unable to escape. It's fear grew exponentially, as dark and powerful emotions raced through its entire body, its mind screaming in fear and pain in equal measure. It suddenly gave forth a deafening bleat of terror, its heartbeat racing uncontrollably.

Alexander snorted, waking instantly, and immediately feeling the convulsions and panicked panting of the struggling deer. He shuddered, then placed his splayed-out fingers on its front shoulder and hind hips, holding it firmly, but gently.

"Easy, easy!" Alexander moaned, attempting through words and gentle touches, to soothe the hysterical Cervid. "You're safe, here with me! I won't hurt you, please, calm down..."

As it continued to squeal, bleat and thrash, resisting with everything it had, Alexander's efforts to comfort and soothe it seemed for naught. He leaned forwards, exerting more of his strength and weight, nearly sitting on it as he struggled to hold it down. He picked up the prepared sedative and held it up before the deer's wild, rolling eye.

"I don't want to hurt you," Alexander pleaded, using his kindness and reassurance. "Please, calm down. I don't want to have to sedate you again!"

For ten minutes, Alexander wrestled with the terrified deer, which fought wildly, trashing and kicking - even trying to bite at one stage, driven by its instinctive fear and irrationality. Alexander finally ended up laying on it, holding it as tight as he could, placing his palm against its heaving chest, leaving it there as he hung his head and lowered his gaze.

"I promise, I won't hurt you young one - " Alexander murmured, gently stroking the deer's chest with his leathery finger pads. "Listen, please? Listen to my voice! I won't harm you, I promise. You wouldn't survive out there in the wild - your leg is broken, it can't support your weight! Here? I can provide you with food, protection, a quiet, calm place for you to heal over winter... but I just need your cooperation...please?"

Something in his voice seemed to resonate with the deer. Its struggles and bleats grew quieter, either weakened by its struggles and malnourished state, or finding some semblance of solace in his touch and words.

"Alright, good, very good - " Alexander whispered, tenderly stroking it, as he gently climbed off and sat on the chair. "Here, please, drink this... it's water..."

Picking up the bowl, Alexander held it up to the deer's muzzle. It sniffed at the water, then pulled its head away, almost as if it expected to get slapped - or worse - the water it craved would be cruelly snatched away at the last second.

"It's alright little one," Alexander continued to use his free paw to gently stroke, offering reassurance and comfort. "Please, drink something? Even a little?"

Timidly, the Deer sniffed at the water again, then nervously brushed its furred lips against it. Its thirst overcome its fear, as it shivered and quickly lowered its head, drinking the water almost completely to the bottom in seconds. Each ripple of its throat muscles made Alexander smile as he tenderly continued caressing and reassuring the deer. Gradually, its tremors eased and its breathing become less labored. It glanced nervously at Alexander, before pulling its head away and he lowered the bowl back to the floor. Alexander sensed a glimmer of trust from the deer, however faint, it was still a positive first step.

Realizing the progress, however slight, was still progress, Alexander breathed out in a relieved exhalation. He carefully adjusted his posture, ensuring he was maintaining contact with the deer in a calm, reassuring touch.

"You're doing really well," Alexander praised it. I promise, I won't let anything harm you ever again. Together, we can help each other - you'll see..."

Its breathing steadier, the deer's eyes still fearful and mistrustful, as Alexander watched it closely. Yet there was something in Alexander's eyes, that conveyed his compassion and honesty that caused the Deer to finally quiver and grow acquiescent, its eyelids closing as it fell into a light sleep.

"I know you probably don't understand a damn word," Alexander breathed, continuing to lightly stroke the Deer. "I promise to protect and care for you. Your leg will heal, in time, until you're strong enough, you'll have to trust me - as I will trust you."

With a weak tail flick, the deer trembled, before it timidly rubbed its head against his forearm. As the warmth from the crackling fireplace and his presence and gentle touches, the deer's eyes closed again and it sighed, giving a final tremble as its weary soul finally began to truly rest.

"Sleep young one, you're alright - you're safe..." Alexander repeated, tenderly stroking its neck and shoulder.

As the Deer twitched, Alexander kept his gentle caresses and touches, wishing he could bridge the gulf that lay between him and the Deer, make it understand him - and that his intentions towards it were pure...

"If only there was a way - " Alexander sighed quietly, closing his eyes and sighing softly.

*

In the following weeks, the Deer's transformation continued under Alexander's patient care. Each morning, he would ensure the deer's nourishment, leaving a bowl filled with vegetables, pellets and water on the couch. He would retreat about ten feet away, remaining as calm and as still as he could, observing the cervine without directly looking at it.

As the bitter grip of winter tightened her hold over the cabin, it proved to be a sanctuary against the outside world - a haven of warmth and sanctuary. Late one night, a fierce storm unleashed its wrath, whipping the ice and snow like a scourge against the cabin, snow blowing horizontally and trying to bury the cabin. Inside, the fire crackled and guttered, fighting its own war against the wind that howled like the spirits of the damned down the chimney.

Despite the warmth of the fire, the Deer trembled, and Alexander retrieved an old blanket out of his cupboard. Holding it up, he quietly approached and half-covered the cervine, before retreating again. He wasn't sure, but he thought he saw the barest glimpse of gratitude in the Deer's eyes.

"You're welcome," Alexander smiled, then went to add another log to the fire. "You never really grew a winter coat, did you?"

As he added another log after the first, Alexander felt the Deer's eyes on him, and a feeling of warmth spread throughout the Veteran's body. He still marveled at how quickly the Deer had come out of its fearful nature - sure - it was still timid, but nothing like that first week together. Alexander had made leaps and bounds in his relationship with it, overcoming its initial fear and building the foundations of a bond of trust and compassion.

As he turned about, he saw the deer looking at him. Its tubular ears, once fearful and withdrawn - constantly alert for danger, now visibly relaxed, occasionally twitching as it listened to the howling winds outside.

Contemplatively, Alexander cautiously approached, then sat on the edge of the couch, watching the Deer's reaction. It remained still, but the blanket gave a slight quiver.

"It's alright, I promise - " Alexander murmured, holding his hand out with his leathery paw pads facing upwards.

It hesitated for a moment, then timidly placed its chin in his paw and gazed up at him through its long eyelashes, the deep brown eyes almost vanishing behind its pale lids. With gentleness, Alexander carefully caressed the Deer's velvety ears, a gesture of gentleness and reassurance. It leaned its head towards him, allowing itself to visibly relax under his caress.

As the night wore on, in that timeless way some nights do, the storm gradually moved on, leaving behind a silence only broken by the occasional pop from the fire and the faint slump of snow falling to the ground from the laden trees.

Alexander continued to tenderly stroke and caress the Deer, as its eyelids fully closed and it lay its head down, its breathing slowly into rhythmic breaths as it slept - truly slept - since coming into Alexander's care.

With a gentle caress over those soft ears, Alexander smiled and leaned forwards, ever so lightly brushing his lips against the Deer's forehead and kissing it between the ears. With barely a twitch, the Deer remained asleep, as Alexander slowly got to his foot paws and made his way to his own bed, where he quickly lapsed into a light sleep - knowing he truly couldn't rest as this strange, enigmatic Deer needed him - and he, strangely enough, realised he needed it as well...

TO BE CONTINUED...