" It was the bond. The bond between us is now a mental one. We can communicate telepathically even in human form." said Master Swoop. " That's good." said Theo. He rocked back on his haunches and a hand unconsciously went to his throat. It felt bruised. He suddenly felt himself start to fall backwards, but sudden hands gripping his shoulders stopped his fall. He was pulled forward and rested against his mother's chest. " Take it easy. Your unsteady right now. Can you hold yourself up just for a few seconds?" asked Master Swoop. " Yes." said Theo.
Master Swoop quickly stood and Theo felt his arms shake as he held himself up. Master Swoop walked around behind him and picked him up in his arms. He cradled him like a baby and started walking back to his patio. " You don't deal well with pain, do you?" asked Master Swoop. " No. I'm hypersensitive to everything. It's why I'm so jumpy if I can't sense who's there." said Theo. " Who said you were jumpy?" asked Master Swoop. " Master Phant. He grabbed me from behind to show me something and I freaked out." said Theo.
He wrapped his arms around Master Swoop's neck and snuggled into his chest. Master Swoop heard his breathing even out and he smiled. Theo was relaxed and finally asleep. He made it to his patio and stepped inside. He shut the door behind him and went over to the swing. He laid Theo down and went inside. He came out a moment later with steaming mugs of tea in his hands. He sat them down by the side of the swing, well out of range if either one of them were to get up. He picked Theo back up and sat down with him cradled in his lap. Theo's arms wrapped around his neck in his sleep and Master Swoop relaxed.
Master Swoop fell asleep. His grip on Theo never slackened. He woke up an hour later. He blinked and waited for the grogginess to subside. He shifted a bit and stretched what he could without getting up. He was amazed with his cub. He handled everything so well. There was no way he could have handled what Theo had. He was broken out of his musings as he felt Theo shift on his lap. " What happened?" asked Theo. " Relax, you just fell asleep on the way back." said Master Swoop. Theo smiled, but suddenly groaned. " Ugh, I feel like someone choked me." said Theo.
Master Swoop scooted over and set Theo down next to him. Theo unwrapped his arms from around his neck, unaware of when he actually did it. Master Swoop leaned over and grabbed the now comfortably warm tea and handed it to Theo. His hands wrapped around it and he sighed. " It's tea for your throat. Drink it slow." said Master Swoop. " Thank you." said Theo. He sipped the tea, finally feeling relief as it slid down his raw throat. Master Swoop then leaned over and grabbed his own tea. He sipped at it and waited for Theo to ask his questions.
Theo finished his tea and sighed in contentment. He set the mug down on his side of the swing and turned to Master Swoop. " Why was the pain so bad?" asked Theo. Master Swoop swallowed and sighed. " Well, it's because the bond we share turned metal. If you were to look inside your mind, you'd sense the bond we have." said Master Swoop. " That makes sense." said Theo. " With the bond, I can feel your emotions." said Master Swoop. " What do you mean?" asked Theo. " Every person always radiates a certain emotion. If you were in trouble or near RJ, you'd give off the feeling of being trapped and fear." said Master Swoop.
" Are you saying you'd feel that?" asked Theo. " Yes." said Master Swoop. " I don't know what to do." whispered Theo. Master Swoop finished his tea and set the mug down. " What do you mean?" asked Master Swoop. " RJ, Casey, and Lilly. I can't sense RJ. Casey and Lilly I can sense, but if their quiet, I don't even hear them." said Theo.