Still mewling quietly, he curled into a protective ball around himself. He didn’t know what to do. There was nothing to eat around here, only rock. He had no idea which way to go. His wing was still screaming out in pain. And he was so, so tired. Sleep. He would sleep. He didn’t know what else to do but sleep. Maybe something terrible would come upon him in his sleep. But he didn’t care. His eyes began to flutter closed. Tired. He was so tired.
But however tired he was, when he heard footsteps treading close, it was his instinct to jump up and look wildly around for the source. Through the fog he could see something walking steadily towards him. It was taller than Mom or the golden lizard, but not as large as the terrible cat. It was shaped a lot like the things that had sent shocks through him, but it was wearing strange material on its body. Long fur came from only its head, flowing down past its neck. It didn’t seem to notice him, but he backed away and made himself as small as possible anyway.
Then, suddenly, it saw him. It stopped walking, staring at him, face seeming concerned. Then it crouched down and slowly began moving towards him, holding out one thing that was not a foot. He cringed away from it, remembering the touch of the smaller creature. It opened its mouth and made a series of sounds which, to his astonishment, he understood.
“It’s okay. I’m not going to hurt you.”
Blinking in slow surprise, he raised his head, still shying away from what was not a foot, but curious now. The creature smiled comfortingly, and he was reminded of Mom’s gentle smile.
“What happened to your wing? Are you in pain?”
He glanced at his wing, wincing as it brushed against the rough rock.
“You don’t belong on the mountain, do you?”
He looked back to the creature, trying with all his might to convey everything that had happened to this shockingly understanding animal. It smiled again.
“Why don’t we get you back to the forest? We can patch up that wing and get some food in you.”
Food. The forest. Both of these ideas elated him. The creature’s smile broadened.
“Here,” it said softly, gently slipping what was not feet under his belly and lifting him up. Careful of his injured wing, it set him in the strange material it was wearing. He snuggled up against the warmth of its body, remembering now that he was quite exhausted.
“You go ahead and get some sleep,” it whispered. “I’ll keep you safe.”
He closed his eyes, a contended chirp trilling in his throat. The step of the creature was steady and lulling, helping him relax. Somehow he trusted this creature. Perhaps it was because it was the only thing on this mountain that hadn’t tried to kill him. Perhaps it was the calming effect its voice had. Or maybe it was something else entirely. Something he could sense, but couldn’t quite pick out.
It was giving him a chance to rest. It was going to help his wing. It was going to find him some food. It was helping him get off this mountain. Maybe it would even give him a place to hide and stay!
“My name’s Georgina, by the way,” it whispered as it continued on down the mountain. This idea intrigued him, and he blearily poked his head out to look at her curiously. She grinned, getting the message.
“Do you not have a name? Why don’t we call you... Jack.”
He gave a pleased chirp and she chuckled.
“I’m glad you like it. Now, seriously. Get some rest.”
Jack chirped again, tucking his head back against her warm skin. Then slowly, ever so slowly, his eyes drooped, and he fell asleep.
And thus is the conclusion of Jack's story. Jack will have more adventures with Georgina in my novel series: The Gisola Trilogy.
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