Caidoz

Chapter 22

"CCCAAAANNCCCEERRR!" I awoke to a rapidly beating heart and blue eyes with green rings staring furiously at me. My legs were still tucked into my stomach in order to fit into the bed, but many things had changed. I was covered in a dripping sweat from head to foot, and the ripped blankets had been thrown to the floor in a managed fury. Procyon stood over me in his shirt and pants, like me, deciding to take off his jacket. His grey hair was a mess if I ever saw one, and his face was scared. He was shaking my wrists and the terrible sensation must have again saved me from my nightmare. "CANCER, WAKE UP!!"
"LEO, LET ME GO! Prrocyyoonn!" I cried, screaming the last words of my dream. His hands were shaking and it hurt terribly. Procyon continued shaking my wrists and the pained agony shocked me to my senses. I sat up straight in bed, tucking my legs in to my chest. "Leo was here! He wants to take me away!" I exclaimed the words on my lips. Procyon growled loudly, more of a dogish bark if I ever heard one.
"You're safe Cancer! If Leo was here right now, I promise I would be tearing him to pieces!" I try to slow my breathing, but to no avail. The beast had hunted me tonight, and I had escaped his claws by inches. 'You are mine Cancer!' I felt faint from my racing heart that threatened to explode. Procyon released my wrists, and his face looked at me, worried. I took a deep breath and remembered my previous idea from the other night Leo had appeared in my dreams. As long as I feel my heart beating, I will live. I will not be afraid. The feeling of my heart helped to now calm me. The boy didn't back up from his position over me. I looked up to meet his face. "Are you okay?! I was in my room when I woke up suddenly for no apparent reason. Then I heard you screaming my name again. I came out of my room and forced the door owl to let me in. You were in a state of pure nightmares, mumbling and thrashing about and then shrieking my name! I had to wake you up the same way that had worked last time." I wiped away sweat that was dripping down my face. So much for the shower. My throat felt strange. I suppose it was from screaming. Procyon looked at me oddly.
"What is the matter?" I asked cautiously. He blushed crimson over the bridge of his nose and under his eyes, but continued to stare at me in an inspecting manner. "What?" I asked again.
"I think you might be sick." I blinked in confusion.
"Sick?" He nodded and blushed harder still.
"I want- need," he quickly corrected himself. "To check your tempture." He reached out aprehensively and tenderly felt my forehead. I expected the Crab to hiss in indignation, but I found it purring slightly. I found I loved the sensation of the assuring, protective power it seemed to give me. Procyon frowned and shifted his hand slightly. "You seem fine, kinda warm, but I suppose it isn't too serious. I suspect it came from being in the forest without any real jacket. We can hope it'll pass by morning." He continued to blush as he drew his hand away. Am I actually ill? In Caidoz, colds were extremely rare. Yes, they could occur, but when they did they were usually easily treatable. I had only received three colds in my life span and all had been treated near the moment it was discovered. My father, King Libra, and my mother, Queen Virgo, decided it to be one of the key problems and faced themselves with donating funds towards the project of perfect health. As each monarch before him, he chose a few specific problems to improve the kingdom. Queen Libra, my great grandmother, had chosen freedom as one and my grandfather, King Cancer, had been a warload of a ruler, conquering the last of lands from any opposing leaders. Of course he did this with generosity whenever possible, leaving most of regular people in control, but making himself king of the lands he conquered. This did not mean he couldn't be ruthless with his opposers, however.

"I'm going to back to my room." The grey haired boy looked away from me and started to turn to the door. I was frightened out of my wits. I couldn't face myself with the fear of being alone again only to wake up from another gruesome terror of a nightmare.
"Wait, wait, wait! Stop! No, don't go!" The Constellarmation spun around.
"I'm pretty tired Ali, I got to get some rest for whatever remains of tonight. The event is tommorow, remember?" He said. I probably will have to tell the truth if I want him to stay.
"I'm scared to be honest... nightmares really frighten me. Please just stay." He thinks a bit, and to my relief he nods.
"I'll go shift." The boy turns around. No, I didn't want to be left alone for a secound. What if Leo somehow came after me?!
"Wait no, just stay!" I say. He turns with blush on his face.
"On the ground?" He inquired. I nodded for that was what I had in mind. I grab a spare pillow and throw it at him. He caught it with ease and hurled it at the ground. He chases around himself in three circles before falling on the ground. He is opposite of me on the carpet and he smiles. I settle back down on the pillows, and I didn't feel scared anymore. Procyon had not removed his daggers from his waist and their presence comforted me. I turn my thoughts to his strange spins.
"What was that for?" I ask. The boy's grin vanishes and an indescribable look overtakes him. It was gone before I could see it again. He turns his back to me without a word. I suppose it was a rude question. "Can you throw me my sheets?" I ask the still figure. Ripped blankets are thrown in my face. "Thanks." Though my voice sounded muffled, a shaking nod can be seen. I close my eyes sleepily. My dreams are then muddled as I forget to dream in my exhaustion.