The Family Curse

Do or Don't

*mumbling voices*

???: Clay, are you sure he was alive when he hit his head?

Clay: Yes? I mean, he was going in and out of consciousness when Bruce and I were bringing him back.

???: Hmm...

Branch felt gentle nudges against his face, and what felt like a wet paintbrush stroking up his face?

Branch: Mhnm...

Clay: See?! He is alive! Maybe you need to do it like this, Floyd!

Then, Branch's eyes were opened with a swift wet brushing motion.

Branch: Ughl! Ew! What the?

Branch looked in front of him and saw the same crazy haired lion in a playful position. Scooting back a little bit, he felt a warm breath above him. It was the second biggest lion with an even bigger mane! Branch tried to run but tripped and somersaulted in front of a medium-sized lion with a little mane that had some white on the tips? Although it was bigger than him, he felt some sort of comfort and safety being around this one. He got up, and as it slowly bent its head down to look him in the eyes. Branch did something strange even to him. He sniffed the lion's scent, and it smelled like...

Branch: Floyd?

Clay: Finally! He knows!

Branch turned to look at the lion with crazy hair.

Branch: Clay?

Branch looked at the second biggest lion, who had a smirk on his face.

Branch: Bruce?

Bruce: Yo, Bitty B. *stands to walk over to him and others*

Branch: But where's John Dory?

Clay: He went out to grab us a bite.

Floyd: I'm sure you have a lot of questions. But I'm surprised at how calm you're being.

Branch: Well, today has had many surprises, that's for sure. Also, many injuries. *touches his head*

Clay: Yeah, it took us a couple of hours to get the hang of walking and running on all fours.

Branch: Wait, how long have you all been like this?

Bruce: 2 days?

Branch: What?! Then how did you find me?!

Clay: Well, John Dory was coming to get you to see if you had changed yet, but after hearing your pipsqueak of a roar, he kinda figured you had.

Branch: It wasn't that bad.

Bruce: It was so cute!

Floyd looked toward the cave entrance as the others were talking.

Floyd: Hey, John, look who's awake.

Branch saw John Dory drag in a huge puffalo. John Dory looked at Branch with a smile.

JD: Finally! You hungry, Bitty B? Lunch is served.

Branch: Hey, I may be a survivalist, but I'm not eating raw *gags* meat.

JD: Well, it's either this or we skin this puffalo to make you look like a baby puffalo to drink a female's milk. Your choice. *walks away*

As the others dug into the meat, tearing its flesh off from the bone, Branch felt both disgusted and hungry. He couldn't decide what to do. An hour passed, and most of the meat was gone, the brothers gnawing on the bones or just relaxing outside in the shade. Floyd noticed Branch laying down with a sad expression on his face, so he grabbed a leg that still had a bit of meat on it and took it over to Branch. Dropping it in front of him, Branch looked up at Floyd.

Floyd: Please, just try it? I don't want to see you sad because you're starving.

Branch: Okay, but only for you, and because I am starving.

Branch ripped off a small piece and began to chew. Finally swallowing, he looks at Floyd and smiles. Then, in a flash, he began ripping off bigger pieces and eating them.

JD: *walks over to brothers* Hey bros, I found a cave we can sleep in for the rest of the day. *looks over at Branch* Guess you got him to eat.

Clay: Not us. Floyd.

Bruce: Yeah, he spoke a few words, then Branch began tearing each piece off like taffy.

JD: Well done, bro.

Floyd: *nods*

Clay stretched as did everyone else as the sun began to get lower in the sky, and the day was coming to an end.

Bruce: We gonna head out soon? I'm exhausted.

Clay: Yeah, same.

JD: Sure, let's go.

Floyd: *chuckles* Aren't you guys forgetting someone?

They look over to find Branch sleeping soundly on a pile of puffalo bones.

Bruce: Poor kid, he's had a long rough day. *grabs him by the scruff of his neck*

Clay: Awww, he's so cute when he's sleeping.

JD: Alright, brothers, move out.

They went a mile or two from the field outside the village where the cave was. Everyone waited for John Dory to lay down first, then Bruce put Branch down in front of him so he could lay next to John Dory. Clay laid his long body over both his brothers, and finally Floyd laid in front of Branch and John Dory so Branch would keep warm.

Floyd: *whispers to JD* Are you gonna tell him everything tomorrow? Every detail?

JD: Yeah, okay.

Floyd: Night, John

JD: Night, Floyd.