The pain was unbearable. My very breath seemed to be the bane of me in these delicate moments. It is hard for me to really realize what was going on, to absorb the pure jubilation that was flowing from the boy who had helped me survive, helped me live on for another day. I had let my ice blue eyes float, float for they are surely like stars in the oceans, spaced. I gaze at him, confused and pained.

Yet I know somehow, though all the pain that stings my chest, my nose, my eyes, my muscles, that all is okay, for he leans his red-touched muzzle forward to lick upon my cheek. With it, I hear the colors of his voice bark with nothing but joy, and for that I am thankful.

I hear his voice and yet my own voice refuses to respond. I feel the sharp inhale of air into my lungs, and yet nothing comes out but a harsh whine. I was more recovered now than before, better but still very much hurt. I can tell that he is upset, upset and unhappy. I do not know why, and I do not understand it. My eyes grow wide with concern of my own, wondering what had happened as I am not entirely sure. I remember it all, I think, and I know my body is being pricked by the fangs of suffering. I turn to look at the water as he does, a panicked yelp suddenly erupting from my ember form like a volcano waiting centuries to erupt. My body convulses, jars in the opposite direction but does not leave the form of Achilles. I simply...adjust in my panic. It is much too painful to move any further, my yelps subsiding into whines as I hear his voice telling me not to move. I breath harshly as he talks, my form shaking uncontrollably as I try to decipher his words. I only look at him with my ice blue eyes, taking in his form and trying to keep my body still and yet it...seems so determined to shake.

I then feel his head bury into my fur, my body still shaking wildly, the scent of my own stress filling the air around us. I find that my cream colored muzzle lowers, licking him gently atop the head.

"Stay..." I manage to whisper, lowering my head to rest gently atop of his. I am not sure if I will get better, the pain taking me over so, but I know that if I remain with Achilles, I will not feel so bad.
Image by Meryl