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That sound of pain was Kroaicho. I wince, then shake my head.

What am I doing? This is my chance to actually escape the kidnapping non-dragon thing.

“He thinks you’re a possession, you idiot,” I chide myself. “Just run.”

But I don’t. I can’t.

“Fuck,” I say in an explosion of breath, then turn back around and start running back around the same corners.

We are both probably going to die, but I won’t die a coward. Besides, he shouldn’t get all of the satisfaction of killing that thing.

I’ve worked myself up into a completely delusional lather by the time I get back to the cave with Kroaicho’s scattered hoard in it, utterly relieved when there is no giant snake-bug thing in there anymore.

I exhale sharply, trying to calm myself. Kroaicho looks equally rattled, pink eyes wide, skin a thrumming, vibrant red.

"Where is it?" I ask, voice shaky.

He raises a wavering arm and points down a dark tunnel.

"Are you sure it's gone?" I press. "What if it—"

"Feel free to go down it and check if you're dying to be sure."

My jaw clenches, but I can't muster the energy for a full argument. I sigh and lower my gaze to the ground.

"It's gone,” he says in a lighter tone. “For now."

Then he gets himself up with a groaning heave, all of his limbs shaking. I rush over, not sure how to help, but he motions me back.

“I need to collapse the tunnel,” he explains in a pained voice.

With a gulp, I back up. Then back up some more when he drags himself down the tunnel. A few moments later there’s a crash and a cloud of dust plumes out from the tunnel, making me cough.

When I clear my lungs and my vision, I remember the fire and smoke, but a frantic glance reveals that it was scattered, only a few pieces still burning. Once I see that Kroaicho is slowly moving back toward me, I jog to the nearest item that will hold water and make a few quick trips to douse any remaining smoldering sticks.

The meat is still gurgling in my stomach, a heavy weight, especially now that I consider that cooking is likely what drew the creature to us in the first place.

So many layers of dumb. I was so busy arguing…

I stop myself there. I was also shaky and starving. No one thinks well at moments like those.

One last toss of water and my job is done, just in time for Kroaicho to make his way back to his precious hoard. He reaches down to grab a crystal, but loses his balance, tipping sideways with a crash.

"Kroaicho!"

I rush toward him, hands reaching out, but completely clueless about how to help. He’s massive.

"I'm alright," he says in a weak chitter. His skin flickers a pale violet. "I think… I've overextended myself."

I grit my teeth, hating the vulnerability I hear in his tone. But I pretend not to notice it, and definitely don’t comment. Instead, I loop my arm under one of his massive forelimbs and try to help him up. I'm too exhausted to feel embarrassed by how ridiculous I must look or how absurd this scene must look with me trying to support his weight.

Except, it does feel like I help because we get him standing and we slowly make our way over to his usual sleeping spot.

Each step feels like a battle in itself. My limbs ache and the world tilts slightly with every movement. But I’m determined, working to steady him as best I can. I focus on the rhythmic sound of our footsteps, on the feel of the cave floor beneath me. It's all I can do to keep moving forward.

When we finally reach his spot, it feels like a victory. I slump down, grateful for the support of the cold stone beneath me. Kroaicho releases a small sigh of relief as I help him settle into a comfortable position, propping him up against one of the larger stones.

"Stay here," I murmur, then race off again.