Episode 32

***Honey***

Coco groaned when he woke up again.

Honey licked his cheek. 'Does your owie still hurt?'

"Yeah..." Coco rubbed his head.

'You should eat. You haven't had any food.'

"I'm not hungry. If you're hungry, ask Cyan to feed you."

Honey's ears twitched. A knock at the door.

"I'm coming in," Cyan said. She carried a bowl of something yummy smelling in her hands.

"I'm not hungry..." Coco mumbled.

"But you should try to eat. It can help with headaches sometimes."

Coco looked at the food. "Why did you bring it to me?"

"I'd like to be able to eat at the table with you, but I know you probably don't have the energy to get out of bed." Cyan set the bowl on his lap.

Coco stared at his bowl and grabbed the spoon inside it. He blew on what appeared to be soup for some time before raising it to his mouth. His hand trembled as the spoon made its way inside.

Honey frowned. She wished she could help Coco, but she was too small. If she was bigger, she could grab that metal thing with her mouth and serve him like a mommy bird served her birdies.

Honey snuggled up to him. Maybe he was cold. She wanted something nice and warm too...

Coco gasped and turned to look at Cyan. The girl had taken his hand, steadying it. "Here, let me help."

He looked away and closed his eyes. He took the spoon into his mouth. His frown turned upside down as soon as he did.

Cy chuckled. "Tasty, huh?"

Coco nodded.

Honey barked happily as Coco's hand started to tremble less.

"Seems you got a handle on it," she said, slowly letting go of his hand. "I'll let you eat in peace."

Coco sped up as he put each spoonful in his mouth. It must have been really tasty.

He bolted up. His arms and legs twitched.

'Coco okay?'

Coco jumped out of bed. "My head still hurts, but my body feels funny. Like I have too much energy. Last time I felt like this was when I took one of Del's energy drinks, because I was thirsty and we ran out of juice and soda."

Honey barked. 'I feel like that after being cooped up.'

Coco picked her up. "You must feel that way right now, huh?"

Honey nodded. 'Yeah, but Cy and I can't leave you alone.'

"Oh, right. Maggie is gone... So only Cyan can take you..."

Honey missed Maggie, even if she was a little rude to her human.

Coco opened the door.

Honey tilted her head as she followed him.

Cyan was on the couch with her fancy watch.

"Did you need something, Collin?"

"I'm gonna take Honey for a walk."

She smiled. "Want me to come with you?"

He shook his head. "We'll be fine."

"Are you sure you'll be okay by yourself?"

"Of course! I have Honey."

She giggled. "Alright. Let me do this then." She took Honey's leash and tied it around Coco's good wrist before clipping it to Honey's collar. "This way you won't drop her leash."

Coco smiled as they went through the open door.

Honey wagged her tail. It felt good going out.

They should probably walk slowly. Coco could get more hurt if he fell.

After a while, Coco looked down at her. "Is your leg okay? You don't want to go faster? I know I've been cooping you up in the house a lot."

'No, I'm happy I get to smell everything on the way.'

Her nose twitched. She smelled the nice girl. Why was Cyan following them? Honey could take care of Coco just fine.

***

When they got to the park, Coco had sweat on his face as he sat on a wooden bench.

Honey whined. 'Are you okay?'

"I'm a little tired. I wanna sit for a minute."

After a few minutes, Coco got up. His body was twitching again. "I'm ready to go again."

He was getting good at moving fast with that metal thing on his arm. It looked annoying though.

Coco slowed down when he saw a girl and a little boy. He gasped. "Lissy! What are you doing here?" He blinked. "Wait, am I dreaming again?" He pinched himself and yelped. "Ugh, think I'm awake. Although, that dream I had was painful."

The girl just turned away. Why was she acting so funny?

Coco gave a little smile as he turned to the little boy. "Hey, Otto. You're so big now."

Otto just stared at Coco.

A big human put his hands on their shoulders. He grinned af Coco. "Come on, kids! Say hi to Atty!"

The girl had red cheeks. "H-hey, Atty."

Coco frowned.

The big human sighed. "Sorry, Atty. These two became rather shy after we moved here."

How did these two know Atty?

Otto glanced at Coco. "Noah?"

Coco tilted his head. "Noah? I'm Atty."

He shook his head. "I mean, how is he?"

Coco smiled a bit more. "He's fine! He's gotten pretty tall too!"

"Has he caught a bear yet?"

"No, not yet."

The girl's jaw dropped. She shouted, "What?"

"Noah wanted to get a pet bear," Otto said, smiling slightly at his big sister.

"I got a puppy, though." Coco pointed to Honey.

Otto knelt and petted Honey. "She's so soft, like cotton."

Honey frowned. This kid feels sad...

She licked his cheek. 'Please don't be sad.'

Otto giggled. "Cut that out! It tickles."

The girl smiled at her brother.

The big human snickered. "You sure found a sweet pup, Atty."

"I sure did," Coco said, puffing his chest like a bird.

A human with a hat ran over to them with stuff in her hands. "Han! Kids! Come and get it while it's hot!"

"Sorry, Atty," the big human said. "We need to go."

Coco waved.

His nose twitched. "Let's go get something to eat."

When they got to the food cart, Cyan was there. She smiled when she saw Coco.

"Were you following me?" he asked, blinking.

Cy laughed uneasily. "Guess Maggie was wrong."

His eyes widened. "About what?"

"She said you were easy to fool."

Coco grumbled. "Rude! Hmph, next time I see her, I am gonna show her how smart I really am." His stomach grumbled. "Uh, we have something to eat?"

Cyan laughed. "Of course! What would you like?"