The Pack by LM. Preston Page B

for… you know… setting me straight.”

Chapter 8
    Her father walked in at that moment. She noticed his mood had changed. The look on his face was gloomy for a moment, but he shook himself out of his thoughts and smiled at her.
    â€œYou want to see something beautiful, Shamira? I bought this mirror. I want you to see the beautiful little girl I see. Here, take it,” he said, handing her the mirror he held behind his back.
    She lifted her hand and hesitantly took the mirror from him. Never having thought much about what she looked like, she didn’trealize that at this moment, it meant something to her. She was scared that she wouldn’t like what she saw. In the dark, she could be anything—a warrior, a fighter, and beautiful. But now that she was in the light, would she like what she would see? She held the mirror reflection away for a moment. Closing her eyes, she slowly lifted it up to her face. Opening her eyes cautiously and slowly, she lifted the mirror up higher and looked at her face for the first time. Pale blue eyes looked back at her. She blinked and saw her dark brown lashes flutter, and she poked out her full pink lips in a pouty fashion. She slowly smiled at herself, noticing a chin dimple that she obviously inherited from her dad. Her smile grew, and her full cheeks plumped under her olive skin. She took her hand and smoothed away the wayward golden and chestnut brown curl falling over her face. Then she touched her light brown eyebrow and caressed the side of her face.
    â€œNot half bad, Dad. I don’t look half bad. I was worried I would be a hag. Not bad at all,” she laughed. Her dad lifted her up into a bear hug and laughed with her. Then she heard it. In the middle of his laugh was a slightly wounded whimper. Something was wrong. She felt it; she knew it.
    Her dad pushed her slightly away from him, and he looked down at her like he did before she could see, “Look, Shamira, we can’t stay long. We have to go home as soon as you are able. I have to go to the Security Force Headquarters for a few days. I hate doing this to you, but it can’t be helped. We have to fly back in a private SecurityForce cruiser. Earth has locked off outgoing airspace travel unless it’s for official business. Shamira, please hurry and get well. I have to go. I’m proud of you. I love you, pumpkin.” Then he got up and abruptly left.
    She wanted to throw the mirror at him. He was holding something back, she knew it. Since her father had left, Shamira looked over at the doctor and took her anger out on him. “What are you looking at? Get over here and help me get better. I’m ready to go home,” Shamira spat out. Tossing the mirror at the foot of the bed, she growled in frustration, and squeezed her bent knees.
    â€œLook, I know you are a lot more than you seem. I’ve read your medical records. You will heal in half the time of any other patient in this hospital.” He flipped opened her file and said, “Because I’m a longtime friend of your dad’s, I’m going to give you some advice. Keep your secret to yourself. Don’t let any other doctor here or on Mars examine you if you don’t trust them. I have sealed your medical files. There will be another doctor attending you tomorrow, your last day required here. Make sure you keep your rage under control. We wouldn’t want him to see what you’re really capable of, Shamira, now would we? Now practice, and good luck to you,” Dr. Hawkins said then he left.
    Throwing off the cloak of self-pity, which she’d never been too good at wearing; Shamira climbed out of bed and practiced controlling this new gift. She had been given the gift of sight beyond what she could have ever imagined.
    A few days later, her dad barged through the door during one of her personal training sessions. She didn’t look at him but kept gazing out the window through the wall of the