Ticking Clock - Part 3

GAHRYE

No amount of calling, pleading, or explaining to the beast had any effect. An hour later, Gharye and Kalle gathered up Elia's things and while Kalle placed them all carefully in the bag she'd brought from Anima, Gahrye moved slowly towards the bed.

Elia's beast watched him warily. She didn't show signs of aggression, but she was tense.

"You have to trust me," he said, carefully. "You have to let me near you. We might… we may have to travel together, or… Elia, please. If you're in there. Please! I need to know if you can't hear me!"

The lioness sprang to her feet suddenly and Gahrye flinched as she shoved the flat of her massive head into his chest. But she trembled—as if she wasn't even sure why she'd done it. They stood there a moment, no one breathing. Even Kalle had frozen, gaping. 

Then slowly, slowly, Gahrye lifted his hands to scratch behind her ears—something he imagined he would enjoy in beast form.