Between The Crystals

Ch 32 Unexpected Wake-Up Call

A low growl woke me, and I lifted my head in panic, only to find myself unable to move my arms. I blinked rapidly into the tree-dappled sunlight, trying to adapt to the brightness and finally seeing the Saursune baring her teeth at a bear. When I shifted my arms, I realized her tail was still curled over me.

The bear was already making itself scarce, and the growl faded into silence. The Saursune glanced at me and noticed I was awake. She nudged my shoulder with a comforting hum, her tail finally uncurling and resting on the ground.

I cautiously sat up. I felt mostly recovered, but still tired after my power nap. From the sun's position, I guessed I had slept five or six hours. I couldn't believe I had slept that long or that hard, especially with a Saursune curled around me! Merryl would have called it a mini coma, not a nap.

And the Saursune had stayed with me—guarding me?—the entire time. I looked at her—truly looked at her—trying to see her as an intelligent "person" instead of a deadly predator whose species had killed thousands in the last century. It was a very difficult thing to do after so many years of running from them, seeing friends killed by their sharp claws, and hearing of dozens or even hundreds of deaths every year.

She gazed back at me; her eyes clearly reflected her intelligence. Perhaps not all Saursunes were the same? This one could have easily killed me while I slept, or even just left me to my own devices while I recovered. Yet, she had remained.

"Thank you," I quietly said, trying to put as much gratitude as I could into my voice, hoping the tone would convey the meaning.

She nuzzled my shoulder, deepening her hum. I gently brushed my fingers against her arm, pushing a tiny tendril of energy toward her. I could feel my porting energy so much more clearly now.

Instead of the faint resistance I had felt last time, I was met with something akin to a solid rock wall. It completely blocked me. I wasn't sure if she was keeping "me" out or just not letting me share any energy right now. Either way, it was probably a good thing since I was going to need everything I had to get my three groups home.

I took the chance to admire the subtle beauty of her hide and the scale-like pattern. Her arms were just the right length to double as forelegs if she chose to move on all fours. To my surprise, her claws didn't seem to be extendable like I had assumed. Several pale scars marred the scales on her right arm and hand.

My stomach rumbled, more concerned with food than the fact that I was sitting beside a Saursune. The dark brown female tilted her head, glanced at my stomach, then rose to her feet. She shook herself off and trotted over to the grass basket I had left in the creek.

I took the opportunity to convince my sleep-stiffened muscles to move. I managed to stand without embarrassing myself and stretched as the Saursune picked up the basket in her teeth and brought it over to me. My hands trembled as I slowly reached toward the sharp teeth to take it.

"Thank you," I murmured as she let go. It was a good thing clams could live out of the water for a day or so, because I wasn't about to put them back in the creek after the Saursune had taken them out.

My stomach gurgled again, and I picked some nearby sweet grass. The Saursune came over and sniffed the clump of grass. She circled behind me and bumped my arm with her head before walking away.

I watched her in confusion. When I didn't move, she came back, this time walking behind me and nudging her nose between my shoulder blades just hard enough to make me take a step forward to keep my balance.

She came alongside me and angled her neck underneath my hand. As she stepped forward, my hand slid up along her neck. Her hide was only as warm as the sun and internal body heat could account for, nothing like earlier. When my hand rested on her shoulder, she paused and looked at me.