Zorro Gets Bitten

The fight against the bandits didn't last long, in fact he had them all running scared in a matter of minutes. The last one wasn't as easily frightened but after the sword fight, Zorro was able to carve the Z into the man's jacket. This caused him to run away on his horse causing Zorro aka Diego to laugh. However his fun was short lived when he reached down to pick up his knife only to be bitten by a rattle snake. He cried out in pain at the bite and pulled back, making quick work of pulling his shirt sleeve up to see the mark. After he purged the wound as good as he could, he climbed back on Tornado and told him to take him home.

As Tornado walked back to their home, Diego tried to stay as still as possible. He knew if he began to panic or move around, the venom would get him quicker. He could feel the venom already trying to get to him as he felt lightheaded and he was sweating. His vision was becoming blurry but luckily he wasn't feeling sick just yet. He knew that was to come but hoped it would wait until he was safe at home. After what felt like hours, but probably only minutes Zorro felt Tornado stop in front of the house. Diego felt glad that his father knew he was Zorro having found out a while back when the secret passage failed to close all the way. He had come down right when Diego was coming back from town.

Although his father was proud that he was Zorro, he was still worried for his son. Diego assured him it was alright, and he was always careful. When Diego heard his name being called, he tried to sit up but found himself falling. Luckily he was caught by his father's strong arms barely hearing anything his father was saying. He could make out Felipe who was on one side of him, hearing words like bed, water. He tried to focus on what was being said but soon felt his legs growing tired as he felt his knees buckle. His father's arms and Felipe kept him up as they got him to his bed.

"We have to get him out of his wet clothes." Alejandro told Felipe.

Felipe nodded helping his friend and mentor out of the Zorro outfit noticing it was soaking wet. He took them and put them in the corner of the room before he went to fetch a bowl of water and cloth. Diego was glad to be out of his wet clothes, but soon began to shiver uncontrollably causing his father to place a blanket on all of him except his arm where the bite was. Diego grabbed it and held the blanket close to him as he shivered uncontrollably. He blinked to try and clear his vision when he saw Felipe coming back into the room.

"Thanks Felipe, son I'm going to clean the blood off your arm." Alejandro explained.

He nodded, "I tried to purge it."

"You did a great job son, but it's going to make you ill for a day or two." Alejandro told his son.

"I know, I can't see that great at the moment father." He replied.

"It's the venom, if you have trouble breathing let me know and we will prop you up." His father told him.

Diego nodded but couldn't help but cry out when his father hit the tender spot on his arm. His father apologized but knew it needed to be cleaned. Felipe came over and kept his hand on his mentor's shoulder trying to let him know it was going to be alright. Diego smiled up at Felipe assuring the boy that he would be fine. Although at the moment he didn't feel fine. His body was cold although it was sweating and he felt very nausea all of the sudden. He didn't know why but he glanced down at his arm only to wish he hadn't. The breakfast he had eaten that morning soon came back up as he was sitting up throwing up everything. His father jumped to help hold him up until it was done.

Once he had finished throwing up, Diego grimaced at the pain he was feeling, "Sorry."

"No need for that, it's due to the venom. Felipe take this blanket out to be washed and bring another one here." Alejandro told him.

Felipe nodded as he took the blanket away while Diego was eased back against the bed. Alejandro cleaned up the mess on his son's face before he continued to clean the wound managing to get all the blood off. He went and got a fresh cloth and cup of water which he allowed Diego to drink in order to wash his mouth out. The water felt good going down his throat, but he couldn't help but jump when he felt the cold cloth being placed on his forehead. His father apologized but told him although he was feeling cold, his body was hot and needed to be cooled down. Diego nodded soon closing his eyes not realizing how tired he was. He heard his father tell him to go to sleep as he drifted off.

He heard the battle going on around him but couldn't see it. He didn't remember how he got there, but knew it was important. He remembered Felipe, this was where he found the boy all those years ago. How had he gotten back there? Where was Felipe? He called out to him and then saw the small boy standing not far from him. He tried to rush to him but couldn't move. Why couldn't he move? He yelled for him, but Felipe didn't move.

"Felipe, watch out!" He yelled as a cannon ball hit next to him.

He watched in horror as Felipe was thrown into the air causing him to hit a tree and become still. He rushed to him but realized his friend was dead. He screamed and pleaded for him to come back, but then saw the ghost appear. He was glad to see him, but Felipe soon turned angry and swore it was his fault. He shook his head swearing he had tried to save him but couldn't.

"Not my fault!" He yelled.

Diego shot up in bed, "Felipe!"

"Easy son, it was just a nightmare." Alejandro soothed him as he got him back down.

"I was back at the battle, couldn't save Felipe." He explained.

His father nodded, "Felipe is safe, he's sleeping peacefully in his room. It's the middle of the night."

"Have you been with me the whole time?" He questioned.

"It's what father's do." His father smiled, "Go back to sleep, you still have a slight fever."

"Thank you father," He smiled as he drifted off to sleep.

"Welcome my son." Alejandro smiled down at his only son.

Alejandro watched Diego as he slept while he leaned back in his chair. He had been drifting off and on until he heard his son calling out in his sleep. He knew the venom was causing his son to have nightmares but hoped it wouldn't be long before his son was back on his feet. He didn't want to know what would happen if Zorro was not around for a few days. The town would be in shambles with that evil man running it. His son aka Zorro was the only one to stop him. Luckily the swelling from the venom had gone down in his son's arm and that was a good sign. He just had to wait for the fever to break and his son would be well again.

"Diego, you have been charged for the crimes of Zorro, how do you plea?" The sergeant asked.

"I'm not Zorro!" He yelled as he stood in front of the firing squad.

"No use lying son, they know." Alejandro remarked, "My son is guilty."

"Father what are you saying? What are you doing with them? They are evil!"

"No, you are evil and deserve to die!"

"Ready men."

He shook his head, "No stop this!"

"Aim, and fire!"

"No!" Diego jerked awake screaming when he felt a hand on him before realizing it was just Felipe, "Sorry, was a nightmare."

Felipe signed, 'It's okay, how are you feeling?"

"I'm doing better, where is my father?" He questioned.

"Sleeping." He signed, "You should go back to sleep."

Diego nodded as he drifted off to sleep still feeling very tired. Felipe sat back in the chair having taken over for Alejandro a few hours ago. He was glad that his friend was resting more than he had been except for the nightmares. He reached out to touch Diego's forehead relieved that the fever had lessened since he took over watch. Hopefully by morning his friend would be better, although it would take a little bit longer before he was back on his feet. A snake bite wasn't something to just get back on your feet right after. There was always a chance that there was still some venom in the body which could come back and get you. Felipe had seen it happen to a villager, he didn't listen to the doctor after he thought he was recovered and ended up dying the next day. But he knew his friend wasn't going to do that, he had too much knowledge.

When Diego woke up, he realized a few things. He could feel a bandage around his arm making him realize his father probably had done it. Second, he wasn't cold, instead could feel the warmth in the room and third Felipe and his father were both sleeping in chairs. He smiled at both of them wondering if they had been with him the whole time. He wasn't sure what time it was or even what day it was. He tried to sit up some but had to stop when his bad arm gave out and he ended up crying out. Both his father and Felipe woke and were instantly at his side wondering what he was doing.

"What do you think you are going?" Alejandro questioned.

"I was just trying to sit up some, but I didn't want to wake you." Diego replied.

Alejandro shook his head, "Always stubborn, just like your mother had been. Here let us help you."

"Thanks, how long have I been out?" He questioned as they got him propped up against some pillows.

Felipe held up two fingers making him question what it meant. Alejandro answered for him, "It's been two days, you been in and out of your head with fever but thank the heavens it's broken."

"That explains why I'm feeling warm now, but still feeling weak and tired." He admitted.

"You should go back to sleep and rest, it's going to be a few more days before Zorro is back on his feet." Alejandro smiled.

"Thanks father, Felipe, always watching over me," He smiled before leaning against the pillows falling back to sleep knowing he was safe.

The End.