The Fox, Red

031 - The Quiet After The Storm

The sun beaming through my windows tells me it's time to get up. I try to roll over but it feels like my body refuses to move. The only thing I seem to be able to do is breathe right now. I listen to the sounds around me as I try and focus on myself again. A few wild birds are chirping outside. I think I hear a few people working. Maybe that's what that is. I can't tell. With a deep breath, I release one ping out to see what's around me. It almost feels like my muscles are going to tear as I do but I get a good glimpse at everything, including the fox in my cabin, sitting in my chair, reading a book.

With what I can muster I speak out to her, "Anne? Is that you?" The book quickly closed as he heard them stand up. They took a fast walking pace as they came around the bed. It was Anne. She was in her usual work clothes. Her face looked almost shocked. "Red, you're awake?" She seemed surprised. I give a smile and a "Yea" before I close my eyes for a second.

Anne and Madam Odette are standing over me. When did she get here? Was she already here? I don't remember falling back asleep but I remember closing my eyes for a bit. They both look relieved to see me opening my eyes. Madam Odette is the one who stands up first. She looks around the room for a quick second before turning to Anne, "I want you to stay here with him. I'll have someone bring food. Just let me know if his condition worsens." Anne bows before responding, "Yes, Madam Odette."

Madam Odette's gaze turns to me, "You, don't push yourself. Get better. Then we can talk." Before I can say anything, if I could say anything, she leaves me with Anne alone in my cabin. I don't think I could stand up if I wanted to. I can barely keep my eyes open. Anne still seems determined to keep a watchful eye on me. She may need to be. I don't feel like I would be able to take care of myself.

Hours pass in what feels like seconds as I close my eyes and the clock changes. It only feels like a small blink but it's hours. Anne continues to sit in the chair but her position and sometimes the book changes. Has she just been sitting there reading the entire time? I'm sure she's been keeping an eye on me as well. I go to blink again. My eyes open to Anne over me with her paw on my forehead. I'm caught off guard so my body jerks in response. Every muscle tried to jump with me and the ones that did cried out from it.

Anne seems taken aback by it herself. She almost fell back as she stepped back from the shock. "Sir Red, I apologize. I didn't mean to wake you." The adrenaline is keeping me up at this point. I'm able to blink and not lose time. My heart feels like it's going to burst through my chest. I manage to mutter out "You're fine" before everything fades back out again.

The sun beams into my face waking me up. It feels like I haven't moved in days. My body feels stiff as I'm not able to get up. Mostly get up anyway. I'm able to sit with my feet hanging off the bed but the floor seems so far away even with my toes touching it. Looking over to the chair, Anne has herself perched up sleeping soundly. I don't want to wake her but I may need her help. Just a little bit of weight on my toes feels odd. No time like the present though. I shift my weight forward slowly getting it to the base of my feet. I stand up keeping my body straight trying to feel how it wants to lean. I can feel it teetering and I try to adjust but in the wrong direction. The hardwood floor lives up to the hard part. My shoulder slams into it rolling me onto my back. I expected pain but I guess I'm beyond that now and just numb.

The loud sound of a body hitting the floor was sure enough to jar Anne awake. She noticed the fox on the ground looking up at her. I've never seen her panic before. There's a first for everything and this is one of those. She comes running over quickly getting down next to me, "Sir Red! What are you doing?!" For her size, she is rather strong. She gets me up to where I'm sitting on the floor leaning against the bed where she can look and see if I'm hurt.

There's some tinge when she moves my arms but otherwise, I cannot feel a thing right now. Everything is just nothing which may explain a lot as to why I leaned the wrong way. She keeps making sure I'm not hurt but I feel fine. Again, mostly. "Anne, calm down. I'm fine. Just a little weak." I'm able to move my leg closer to where I can begin to get myself back up. Anne goes to help but the extra input may throw me off again. I wave her off politely using the bed to assist.