It had been a long time since Athos has taken the time to actually look at the stars in the night sky. Sure, he had used them to navigate by. But never just to look up in wonder at their beauty. The last time he had laid on his back to stare up at the universe was when he was a small boy. Several years later, Athos found himself on his back studying the stars.
He tried to remember the names and shapes of the constellations but he could only remember one, Orion. It had always been his favorite. Not because Orion was a mighty hunter with his two dogs. But because, for Athos, that was the "kitty cat constellation" As a child, when he first looked up at Orion he could make out the ears and whiskers of a cat. Now when he looked up at Orion that was all he could see, a cat.
Athos continues to gaze up at the vast open sky. Off to his left he saw a falling star. A terrible feeling of loneliness washed over him as he made a wish. He wished his brothers were with him to share this moment. To look up at the stars with him. True, they drove him mad at times. But he loved them more than life itself. Though he enjoyed his time alone, his days were always richer when he was in the company of his fellow Inseparables.
He scanned the sky for more falling stars. He needed to make more wishes. Athos tried to recall how much time had passed since he last saw his brothers. It felt like ages since he heard Porthos's hearty laugh or had to endure Aramis tell of his latest love interest.
Athos was getting restless again. HE needed to move, to flex his arms and legs. A good sparring match with d'Artagnan would be the perfect way to loosen up his cramped muscles. But instead he turned his head to the right in order to get another look at his wrist. He confirmed it was still swollen. And it was still tied to a stake pounded into the soft earth. Just like his left wrist and both ankles. His captures had spread each limb out as far as they could go. Athos was positive he was three centimeters taller.
Looking back up at the clear sky he searched again for another falling star. And he asked the kitty cat, Orion, to keep his brothers safe.
Note: "The Kitty Cat Constellation" came from my husband when he was a little boy.