Mist flooded the woods, and as Shepard opened her eyes again, she smelled the familiar damp leaves and felt the cool air on her cheeks. She had seen these woods so many times, but as the Commander searched about for the silent young boy, he was nowhere to be found. She had controlled the Reapers, felt her thoughts flow through them as she bid them go about the galaxy to right their wrongdoings. Was she dead? Was this her hell?
“Shepard?” The hollow ringing of a voice called her name from the distance, but from where she couldn't determine. She passed between the trees, running her fingers over the bark. Somehow she was naked, and the cool air was more than a little uncomfortable on her bare, fair skin. Yet, if this was her hell, nudity was just one more punishment she’d have to endure. The crunch of twigs beneath her bare feet broke the otherwise silence, though it was swiftly followed by another call. “Shepard?”
Her green eyes gazed westward, following the more discernible voice. Who could be calling her name? It seemed so familiar. Still turning, the unarmored soldier froze in her steps. There he was, or what remained of him. The poor child who plagued her nightmares stared coldly at Shepard through lifeless, mechanical eyes. A husk. If her hell was not enough, her only company now was the husk of an innocent child. Another life lost because of her incompetence. He peered at her, tilting his head curiously, though he showed no sign of a threat. Shepard approached the poor, twisted child and placed a hand atop his head. It was rough and cold, almost chitinous in its rigidity.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry…” She knelt down, seeing him at eye level before pressing a tender, loving kiss to his warped cheek. With a twitch, the boy let out a howl, pushing her away. Shepard had most of her weight on one knee, and the unexpected shove landed her on her back. Sticks and leaves scratched her flanks and shoulder blades, but what followed was even more horrifying. Still howling, the husk child scrambled toward the defenseless woman, snatching her knees in both hands. Shepard’s eyes widened, and though she tried to kick at the hollowed boy, she was powerless without her armor or equipment. Mechanical claws scraped her thighs, and the boy shambled between her legs, crawling headfirst for her bare loins. Panic gripped Shepard, and as the monster’s cold, metal face pressed against her nethers, she let out a shriek.
“SHEPARD!” Her eyes snapped open, and the bright light left her all but blinded. Figures loomed over her, and she tried to flail, but found her arms and legs bound by straps.
“Calm down, Commander.” Chakwas? The familiar older woman’s voice settled the young soldier a bit, and she blinked hard, trying to clear her vision. She was in a hospital room by the looks of it, and on the mantle sat a bouquet of beautiful, wildflowers.
“W-What happened? Where’s the boy?” Shepard was surprised at the sound of her own voice. It was rough and weak. She couldn't raise her head, but she could feel that she was at the very least clothed. Chakwas walked around the bed, dismissing the unidentifiable attendants. With a nod, they each left the room silently. Chakwas slipped a small, electronic thermometer into the Commander’s mouth, and after a few seconds it elicited a small beep.
“97.9 is good. Your fever has come down, and it looks like your other vitals are stabilizing. Were you not so heavily composed of cybernetics, I’d call this a miracle.” Chakwas offered her matter-of-fact statement with a light sigh. A few lines formed along the doctor’s brow as she spoke again. “Boy? There is no boy, Shepard. It’s likely you experienced some sort of fever-induced dream while you were unconscious.” Chakwas’ serious demeanor finally broke into warmth. “You had us all worried, Commander. Even I thought you may not come back from this one.”
“I’m full of surprises.” Shepard’s hoarse voice cracked into a dry laugh before her humor descended into light coughing. Chakwas tugged the hospital blanket up under Shepard’s chin.
“Get some rest, Commander. You should be back to your old self in a few weeks, followed by some minor physical therapy for your leg. From the edges of her field of vision, Shepard could see her left leg elevated in a cast. “It really is remarkable what your enhancements can do for recovery.” With her final observation, Chakwas strode out of the room, leaving Shepard alone. Exhaustion overwhelmed the bed-ridden soldier, and Shepard sleep take her again.
The following day was another surprise. No nightmares haunted her sleep, but upon awakening, Shepard found herself quite capable of sitting up. In fact, she felt worlds better. Had it really been only one night? Just for good measure, she flexed her left leg and found it completely without pain. Impossible. Not even her cybernetics could have healed her this quickly.
*****
Dr. Chakwas scanned her card to enter, but to her astonishment, the bed was empty. “Shepard?” Chakwas reached toward the wall to press the security alarm, but a low grunt halted her arm.
“Over here.” As Chakwas rounded the tall hospital bed, she saw Shepard flat as a plank beside it, performing push-ups.
“Good heavens, what are you doing out of bed! You could cause severe damage to yourself, Commander. You must rest.” Chakwas leaned forward to offer help, but Shepard leapt to her feet in a flash. “My word.”
“I feel good. I think I might be ready to get back on duty.” Shepard clapped off her hands, though there was certainly no dust or dirt on the pristine military hospital floor.
“I will be the judge of that, no sit down on the bed and let me check your condition.” Chakwas was clearly getting frustrated with Shepard’s recklessness, but the brief examination left her speechless. “Impossible. Your vitals are normal, and judging by the scan, your femur has completely mended. Overnight.” Shepard responded with a silent shrug, but the good doctor shook her head. “I’m not going to lie to you Shepard, before you awoke I was certain you would not survive. You suffered tremendous blood loss, and many of your major systems were moving into shutdown.”
“I guess you could say I’m lucky.” Shepard smirked and folded her arms across her chest.
“Lucky, my stars. I must run further tests. I cannot imagine how you’ve made such a hasty recovery.” Chakwas turned to her bench of equipment, and Shepard glanced at the door.
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