Don't touch her!!

"How many times have I told you Helen?!?!?!?!?!? YOU CANNOT TOUCH HER!!!!!!!!!!" Miss Anhao rushed up and pulled a very guilty looking Helen from a shocked Aria.

"Okay what is really going on? Why is she treating me like I have some terrible infectious disease?!?!?!?!?" Aria thought to herself as Helen spoke, "Sorry Miss Anhao. I was just too excited to find her awake."

Once Miss Anhao had sent Helen away with a lot of scolding, she turned to Aria. "I know you must be in a lot of pain child. The potion to reduce pain would have worn off, and with your injuries. . . . ." Miss Anhao shuddered and continued, "But bear it for a bit longer, my sweet child. David really wants to run some tests on you while you are awake. To check for any internal injuries to your mind." She finished, gently stroking Aria's brow.

Aria let out a soft smile. Miss Anhao's hand felt really good. So warm and full of love. Love seemed to be radiating off her palm as Aria leaned into her hand and enjoyed the touch for a moment. "It's okay, Miss Anhao. It doesn't hurt that much." Aria said and Miss Anhao smiled. "I'm sure it does. But you will never admit, I've never seen a stronger or stubborn child than you." she said.

Aria chuckled softly and pursued her lips. It really did hurt a lot. Especially if she moved even a bit. But she had to find out this one thing. She needed to know if everyone she knew in the water kingdom thought her a monster. "Miss Anhao, can you tell me something?" Aria asked.

"You shouldn't be talking in your condition child." Miss Anhao began but Aria cut in. "Please. It will keep my mind off the pain." she said. Miss Anhao's eyes melted and her hand tightened a bit on Aria's forehead. "What do you want to know?" she asked.

"Well. . . . . it is about something you said." Aria hesitated. She might find out everyone hated her, but she had to find out. Aria swallowed and said in one breath, "You said that no one was allowed in the ward and Helen is sneaking in. You also asked her not to come close to me, and shrieked when you saw her touching me. Why?"

Miss Anhao frowned and said, "I'm surprised that someone as smart as you hasn't figured it out." Seeing Aria frowning upon hearing this, she continued, "But I suppose it is to be expected. You're severely injured after all." Aria stopped breathing and waited. It almost felt as if someone was passing a verdict about her being guilty or not.

"It's because of your wounds child." Miss Anhao said. "Huh?" A confused sound escaped Aria's lips. Because of her wounds? Had Miss Anhao gone so far as to not allow people to come visit the injured now? Or were her wounds so bad that people ran away at the sight of her? Suddenly Aria wanted to look into a mirror to see the extent of her injuries.

Seeing her confused face, Miss Anhao explained, "You see child. You have very severe burns. And they had gone untreated for quite some time before Mr. Scott brought you back to his mansion."