“Again……...very rough shape…..honestly he should have been dead long before...the virus was actually keeping him alive from what I could tell…..he was...beyond what a human could normally endure. If we had tried the cure on him so soon he would have died.”

I paused.

Ok… I guess all the prior feedings were fine.

Though I still hoped she wouldn't mention that I ate raw meat for several months.

Henry let out an annoyed grunt behind me but didn't respond.

“Alright… Jay put your toothbrush and paste in the bathroom if you want to go take a shower really quick.” Sarah said.

I stared at her in utter confusion.

She gave me a wink.

I thanked God and her.

I honestly felt awkward having to brush my teeth in front of everyone like I was a child especially since Henry came.

I knew I had done it because I was basically a child mentally not long before but now that I kind of had myself back I was super embarrassed.

One of the men came and completely unbound me.

I stared down at my red wrists, noticing that I did have bruises from past struggles when I freaked out.

“Whys he bruised?” Henry asked, his voice was full of venom.

“....He ended up struggling a bit against them the other day when the cure was starting to work…. He got really sensitive to touch and light all of a sudden because his nerves started working properly. He had a bit of a panic attack then as well.”

I wished she would stop talking about all the times I had done something embarrassing.

Wasn't there patient doctor confidentiality?

I took a hesitant step towards the shower- no bathroom, keeping an eye on the men in case I was doing something wrong and would be stopped but they let me pass.

While keeping a bit of a wide birth however.

It took me a bit to figure out the shower, I had seen the nurse do it dozens of times but my memory was still fragmented.

Once I got the water to a decent temp I checked to make sure I had clothing and a towel.

My fingers stroked the towel and embarrassingly enough I got distracted for a good minute feeling its texture.

I carefully striped and took a step inside.

The water blasted over my skin and I flinched but was mildly in awe from the feeling.

Cleaning myself wasn't too hard and I stepped out after a bit, feeling satisfied as I dried myself and put fresh jeans on.

I stopped in front of the mirror and brushed my teeth, feeling pleased.

The flash of black on my chest caused me to pause as I looked at the tattoo over my heart.

I still couldn't read letters but finally knowing what exactly a *Henry* was made me feel happy.

I grinned for the first time in ages.

It felt odd using my face muscles, they had been mostly slack since I was sick and it was weird moving them past eating.

I looked down at my body.

Yea…. Henry was right, I was still very skinny.

But honestly the meal I had was super filling so I knew that Sarah knew what she was doing.

I was still holding the toothbrush, staring at myself in the mirror when a knock on the door startled me into dropping it.

I was even more startled when Henry opened the door, walking in.

I let out a gasp, feeling my face heating up since I was partially naked still.

I mean I knew he had seen me naked a lot in the past but it had been years and I was still very sensitive.

He smirked a bit as he leaned against the wall.

“HENRY! Get out of there!” Sarah yelled.

“Why?”

“DUDE HE'S STILL RECOVERING YOU DON'T NEED TO BE STRESSING HIM OUT!”

Oh dear God Sarah please help me!

I covered my blushing face with my hands in embarrassment.

Henry was staring at my chest with soft eyes.

I looked around for my shirt through my fingers and my eyes widened in horror when Henry held it up with a devilish grin.

I had forgotten how much he liked to tease me.

He took a step towards me and started walking, holding it up.

I scrambled back, hitting the counter painfully, wincing.

He paused in front of me and my eyes were wide.

I covered my mouth with my hands, freaking out and knew my fingernails still hadn't been cut yet.

He raised an eyebrow.

“You don't feel like biting me right?” He asked with a smile.

I shook my head no.

“Then why are you scared?’

I paused.

I mean I could still transmit the infection right?

I hadn't been told otherwise and I was scared as hell of doing it by accident.

Or like losing my mind again and being totally controlled by my illness.

I would rather actually die than hurt Henry.

I had no way of telling him my thoughts though so I just stared at him, trying to will him to back up.

But of course, my way or the highway Henry just smirked and tossed my shirt over my head.

I blinked and automatically put my hands through it.

I stared at him like he was insane, covering my mouth again, looking away.

“HENRY WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING SO CLOSE TO HIM!” Sarah roared and I jumped in fright.

Henry rolled his eyes.

She had come to the door and was staring angrily at him.

“Dear God Sarah don’t act like such a mom when he was literally my boyfriend for years! You acting like I tried to have sex with him in your house.” Henry sighed, turning around.

My face was hot at the implied activity.

But my heart hurt a bit at the past tense of boyfriend.

Was he taken now or?

Then why tease me?

I couldn't ask but I was incredibly curious.

Maybe I can somehow ask Sarah later on?

Problem was learning to talk or write again to do it.

I waited until Henry moved away before following them out.

I tried to keep a safe distance but Henry noticed and stopped, waiting for me to come closer.

He raised an eyebrow in mild amusement before taking a step towards me.

I flinched and backed up again.

He sighed.

“Listen, I am not going to willingly stay far away from you especially when you're obviously not dangerous. It's been…..it's been WAY to long ok?” His voice hardened and I swallowed before nodding.

I took a few hesitant steps towards him but stayed 2 feet away.

My mouth was still clamped shut and my hands over it though.

One of the men came over and I stretched my hands out to be rechained and mitted again.

“Is it really necessary?” Henry asked as I was about to be chained.

The man paused.

“Well… if we get his nails clipped he can be unchained… but still the mask is a good idea.” Sarah said after a moment.

My muzzle was put back on and I listened to the familiar click on it being locked in place.

I was allowed to go back into the bathroom and clip my own nails.

I thanked God I figured out how to flip the little thing on the back to use them.

I felt very stupid.

I returned the clippers, feeling mildly embarrassed since it took longer than it probably should have.

Sarah examined my handiwork and nodded, deeming it fit.

“Ok….. we need to give you your shots and remember I need to draw blood..think you can handle it?”

No.

I nodded.

I sat down and calmed myself to the best of my ability.

My willpower nearly crumbled the moment she pulled out the needle for blood drawing.

“I'll need to draw two samples, one before the cure and then one after in about 20 minutes ok?”

That is a lot of needles going into me today….I thought in fear.

Henry sat down next to me and stroked my arm.

Ok I NEED to remain calm and not freak out or growl while he's sitting here.

I let out a breath as Sarah grabbed my free arm and stuck the needle in me

I flinched and tensed, gripping the blanket under me, with my eyes forward.

HOLY SHIT IT HURT.

It felt like someone was literally trying to stab through my arm.

Sarah gave me a sympathetic smile and I legit felt like ripping her face off for a second.

Whether that was the virus talking or me I had no clue.

“Well you did better?” Sarah said hesitantly.

I flashed her a glare.

“You're not used to feeling anything, it's been a long time since your nerves have been able to feel properly…. It's ok to be overwhelmed.” She said with a nod.

She was correct about that, Henry was still stroking my arm and it felt incredibly soft and warm, a tad bit ticklish and it was hard to not be distracted by it.

“Alright now for your medicine!”

I let out a groan.