Page 18 of The Dragon's Distraction

“Is this the only one?”

“Yes, my scales are tough.”

He was trying to sound like he was ok, but an edge of pain roughened his voice.

“I don’t know your biology properly. Are there any important organs in here?”

“No. But I’m not sure I can move.”

“I can try to stop the bleeding.”

“No,” his voice ground out and his head fell to the ground. “I can heal, but the bullet needs to come out. They used a scale piercing bullet. It’s coated in a toxin that stops me from healing. You need to dig it out.”

I fought the urge to be sick. But I knew I had to do this. I gritted my teeth and stuck my fingers into the wound. Falkon roared with pain and tears fell down my face.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed as I pushed further in. His tail thrashed and hit the ground as I finally found the bullet and yanked it out. His body almost collapsed with relief and his head thudded against the dirt ground. I clambered back to his face.

“Ah my Sunbeam.”

“It’s ok now. Will you heal?”

“I already am. Just give me a moment.”

“Ma’am!”

The voice rang out behind me.

“What?”

My voice was nearly a shriek.

“The walls inside have been breached. The prisoners are everywhere. You need to get to safety. Please?”

“I’m staying. You go and deal with it.”

“Ma’am, I don’t have time to argue.”

“Then don’t.”

I turned away from him. I heard him shuffle his feet while he decided what to do. There was a muffled bang as something hit the ground behind me. I spun around and found the guard there.

“Here.”

He handed me the massive gun he’d been holding. Then he left. I turned back to Falkon, whose eyes were closed now.

“Falkon? No, please don’t?”

“I’m still alive.”

“This is what you needed to do? Get shot?”

I was angry now. My mind was in turmoil.

“Yes, apparently. But you got here and saved me. And now I must save you.”

He began pulling himself up.

Chapter 14

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