Rise of a Legend Read online

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  Orion woke up to a familiar soft squeaking in his right ear, and something warm and soft next to his face. He smelled a faint fragrance that reminded him of the bright orange flower Sandra had given him the first day they met. A cool breeze drifted lazily over Orion’s face, but he was nice and warm, lying on a soft bed under a few layers of covers. Looking around, he found the source of the squeaking; his baby zupzie, Star. She was curled on the pillow, next to his face. He smiled and reached over to pet her, but the pain in his shoulder made him stop short. He noticed that the room was unusually white, with bright orange flowers in a clear vase next to an open window. Even the covers were all white. The stuffed chair in the corner was tan, though, and stood out. Movement near the open door caught Orion’s attention.

  “Oh! You’re awake! Thank goodness,” Sandra sighed as she crossed the room and knelt by Orion’s bed. “I was so afraid for you. Are you okay?”

  “I think so,” he said weakly. “I’m really tired, though, and my shoulder hurts.” Sandra smiled.

  “Awake at last, are we? It’s about time, too. You’ve been asleep for almost three days,” Rick stood in the doorway, surveying Orion. “That was a close call, you know. That’s also why you’re not supposed to go out into the city by yourself.”

  “But I wasn’t by myself,” Orion argued, “Josh and I went, and then Sandra and I took a walk in the park.”

  “You’re lucky your pet likes you so much,” Rick went on, ignoring Orion’s argument, “She led us right to you.” Orion gave him a confused look.

  “Zupzies have a sixth sense for their masters,” Sandra explained, “They can tell when their master is in trouble.”

  “When I got home, your little furball was wailing at the top of it’s tiny lungs,” Rick said, “I went to your room to see you when I heard it. It raced out of your rooms, through the halls, down the stairs, and outside. It wouldn’t stop until it found you. I would have lost it several times, but I followed it’s wailing. The guards and I found you and Sandra at the edge of the city.” Star began purring and licking Orion’s ear to show she was glad he was alright.

  “Stop it, you little fuzzball,” Orion chuckled as he tried to separate his ear from Star, “That tickles!”

  “You ready to be healed, Orion?” Rick asked, stepping closer. Without waiting for an answer, he pressed his hands lightly on Orion’s shoulder, and then on his leg. Orion closed his eyes and moaned as he felt the soothing heat ease the pain, and then take it away completely. A hand on his face made him look up. Sandra slowly ran her hand down Orion’s neck, resting it on his chest, where she could feel his heartbeat. He sighed and closed his eyes again, falling asleep.