Cedar Sweep Blood of a fool

"Be careful," she begged, watching anxiously as he struggled to his feet, clearly in pain. A whine of her own joined his, and she tried not to panic as she listened to his labored breaths. No, he couldn't walk anywhere. She wouldn't let him - not like this. "Maybe you shouldn't," she said uncertainly, bringing herself under his neck to help support him, if she could. It was hard to do that without jostling his wound, though, so she pulled away before she could hurt him.

She could only stare at him, helpless and afraid. He wasn't her son, no. But she knew him, right? Why else would she be talking to him, caring for him? He was someone she loved, and she had a responsibility to keep him safe. She was certain of that, even if she couldn't remember him - not even his name, though she thought she'd known at some point.

Still. He was hers to care for, and she would not be left alone again.

"My den is by the coast. I could take you there - there's a grove of red valerian not far from here, and if you eat of it, your pain will be eased. But we'd have to travel quickly after that. It will make you want to sleep," she explained, nervous that he would deny her and try to leave. But she would stop him if he tried - for his own good.

Doe be crazy af