A few weeks passed, but still no improvements. I was haunted with nightmares of the Bartiger countless times. My siblings tried to help me as much as they could.
Peter always seemed to be at my side, carrying me everywhere I needed to go. And staying beside me comforting me, during many of those sleepless nights. And when he wasn't doing that, he was out hunting with Ed.
Susan tried to help me as much as possible. Combing my hair, and helping me get dressed, and rubbing my back to make the pain go away.
I hated being babied over, but sometimes that made me feel safe.
Edmund tried to make me as cheerful as possible, he does a good job of that, although I have better jokes. He got me to laugh a few times, but not rarely. One can't laugh, if you aren't even sure if you'll walk again.
Ruth was a second Susan, helping me, mostly rubbing my back and singing. We both were the musical ones in the family. She a strong soprano and I a strong alto.
Lucy usually stayed long hours with me in my room. We talked and sometimes she would read to me. Other times, if I was too tired to write, she would write.
I never bothered to talk about the attack. I couldn't I was too scared. Fear it had taken control of my life. Always what if and suppose?
And how I longed to walk again.
One day, I was talking to myself. No one was in the room.
"Above all people why did this happen to me? I just wish that tiger didn't exist. And I wish I could walk again. What good is a queen, if all she can do is talk?  That's the only thing that hasn't been taken away from me. My tongue, but it can't give me a scope for the imagination like walking can. It can't take you anywhere," I sighed, I looked up at the ceiling of my bed, sitting up, though I didn't realize it.
"If only...."

"Verity!" Ruth came into my room, but she stopped for a moment,"You're sitting up!"
"I am," I looked down, I was."Ruth, I can feel my legs."
"Can you move them?" She asked.
I wiggled my toes, also moving my foot,"Yes." I climbed out of bed.
"Verity, maybe you shouldn't..." began Ruth.
"I can't wait any longer, it was torture just lying on my bed," I replied, I got up, standing on my feet, almost losing my balance, but Ruth caught my arm.
I took one step then another, letting go of Ruth and walked to the window, collapsing on the window seat.
Ruth almost suffocated me in a hug, crying, tears of joy in her eyes."You walked."
"I had to walk again, Ruth, I couldn't live life as an invalid," I said.
"Verity, what are you doing at the window!" Susan exclaimed, my four other siblings stood at the door.
"Because..." I got up slowly.
"Be careful," Peter cautioned.
I took a careful step towards them and another. Tears running down my face. When I reached them, Peter grabbed me in a hug. I rested my head on his shoulder, wrapping my arms around him. I felt other arms wrap around me.
I could walk again.