I groan and see a hazy light shining in my face.
"What-" I mumble.
I try to sit up, but something tied to my leg keeps me from doing so.
"Whoa, dude. Hang on, I'll help you." A familiar voice says. Then I hear a soft caw.
"Ru? Is- is that you? And Lightning?" I rubbed my eyes. I felt tired, but strangely in place in this herb-smelling room. "Where are we?"
"In the doctor's office," Ru says softly. "You collapsed suddenly, and Lightning and I raced here. When we got here, The Wizard gave you some medicine. You have to rest for another hour. We've been waiting for 6 hours for you to wake up, but Doc told us not to wake you, since the medicine has to stay on for 7 hours. So keep resting."
Lightning caws an agreement.
"Okay," I say. "Does the Wizard know-"
"Your name? Then yes. You are an escapee on a mission to save your friends. Your other friends explained. You were very sick when you came in, so just relax."
No! He knows!
"Why did you tell him?" I ask in a hushed whisper.
"I heard that. But it's okay. I will not tell a soul, I swear to the gingerbread gods." He holds up his pointer and ring finger.
"Huh?" I whisper.
" Thou hast no more brain than I have in mine elbows," Ru mutters. "You have to fold your pinkie behind your thumb and shake! To swear to the gingerbread gods!"
"But- how do you do that?"
The Wizard chuckles. "Do you not know how, young man? I can see your friend is right, maybe you do need some more brains."
I turn red and begin fiddling with my fingers, and finally got it once Lightning pried my fingers into position with his beak. He wasn't pleased with how long it took for me to try doing it.
We swear to the gingerbread gods, finally.
Then I do the normal thing I would always do.
" God, please don't let him tell anyone. Thank you for everything." I say in a hushed voice. " Amen." They look at me like I'm crazy.
" What was that?" Ru asked. Now I'm looking at them like they're crazy.
" Um…have you never prayed before?" Oh, right. They pray to the gingerbread gods.
"No, we haven't, young man. Can you explain?" The doctor looks interested.
"Well, basically my family and I believe that there is ONE god, who created the world and mankind. We pray to him just like how you pray to the gingerbread gods. God is the ruler of heaven, too."
"Oh, I have seen a servant of Vulagur praying just like you did. I think her name is Rose?"
Auntie Rosa!
"Yes! She is my aunt!" I say excitedly.
