Guardian

Chapter 9

Trying to navigate these streets at night was hard when you could barely see for long distances. Randall had begun traveling the last length of his journey during the day so he could find his way back to the house. He eventually made it.

His stomach was growling fiercely from hunger and his feet were so tired and sore from walking. Randall made sure to stay invisible until he got up to the house. He went in the back way, finding the spare key to use. He didn't want anyone seeing him.

When he was first in the kitchen, he quickly got himself some fresh water and some food out of the fridge. Some lunchmeat. He scarfed the whole thing, he was so famished.

With his hunger satisfied, then he went and got the first aid kit out of the bathroom and sat down on the couch. No one else was home right now, as it was only 2 in the afternoon. He leaned his back against one side of the armrest part and he began tending to his tender feet.

He put some medicine on a gauze pad and applied it to his feet, which stung through the roof. He bared his teeth, but managed to keep in the screams of pain. It burned, but he set his feet out in front of him and let them air out, just relaxing. He could finally take a load off. The sidewalks had been harsh on his feet in the midday sun. He fell asleep to just let his body rest.

After 6:30 like clockwork, Jo and Jason got home. They came in the front door. The air conditioning felt great it was so hot out. But they also got quite the surprise when they stepped into the living room.

Randall had jumped awake when he heard voices. He looked at the time and he saw it was time for them to be home. He stayed where he was. He wanted to surprise them. His feet were still stinging.

When the man and girl stepped into the room, they got a "Hi guys." It startled them both.

"Randall?" Jason asked.

"Yes?"

"Randall, are you for real?" Jo asked.

"You better believe it, Kid." The lizard said with a smile.

"Randall, I missed you!" Jo flung herself forward before Jason could stop her.

Jo wrapped her arms around Randall's chest and squeezed him tight. "Don't leave me again!" She sobbed.

"I didn't leave on purpose." Randall said.

"What happened?" Jason asked.

"That man who tried to get near me at the gas station on our camping trip followed us home and he broke in and knocked me out with drugs. He took me far away and I spent the last few days getting back." Randall explained.

"I found a syringe on the floor. It belongs to a Dr. Alex Quentin. He's a zoo biologist. He might have wanted you for experiments." Jason suggested.

"He's not getting me without a fight."

Jo finally let go of him. "I'm just glad you made it back."

"Me too. It's hot out there." Randall said.

"Yes, it is. Well, I'm going to get started on dinner. Want to help?" Jason asked.

"I can't. I can barely stand right now. My feet got burnt on the sidewalks making it home today. I got home around two."

Jason came over and saw the first aid kit by the couch. He sat down on the other end and had a look at Randall's feet. The bottoms of them were indeed blistered and sore looking.

Jason applied some burn medicine with gauze on his feet and wrapped them up. Randall winced, but didn't fight the treatment.

"Don't get up unless you have to." Jason said. "You've got to keep the weight off those feet for a few days."