I'm now basically confined to my nest. That is because of the wound in my stomach. I can barely even move without pain. Although Taisley wants me to stay in my nest, I still find a way to sneak out. That is, of course, when Taisley is asleep. I make my way to the nearby forest. I want to get as far away from the cave as possible. I want to enjoy all the fresh air that I can get.

I sit below a tall tree. The branches are overhanging, casting a shadow over me. I'm enjoying the freedom of the outside. I can feel the calm winter breeze ruffling my fur. I look up, seeing the moon and stars lighting everything up. I smile happily at my surroundings.

"Buck!" I hear a voice shout.

I wince. I turn around to see Taisley running towards me. When she gets here, she stops in front of me. Her paws are on her hips. Her eyes hold a stern look. I know what that look means. "Yes, Tais?" I ask hesitantly.

"Buck, you shouldn't be up! You're still injured! You need to rest!" She yells.

I look down, my ears pressed flat against my head. "I…I know…It's just…I wanted ta…ta get some fresh air…" I mumble. Taisley's glare deepens. I shrink back, a whimper forcing itself from my throat due to her anger.

Taisley's glare softens after seeing me cower. She sighs. "I'm sorry I yelled at you. I just worry about you. I want you to get better. I know you hate to rest, Buck, but you'll get better quicker if you do," Taisley puts her paw on my shoulder.

"I know…'m sorry I snuck out. Do ya forgive me? I don't like 't when yer mad," I mumble.

"Oh, I forgive you, Buck. I can never stay mad at you. Now, come on! Let's get back to the cave. You should be getting more rest," Taisley suggests.

I don't bother arguing. I allow Taisley to help me up. I follow her to the cave. When we get there, Taisley helps me onto my nest. I curl up there. Taisley strokes my forehead. I smile up at her. "Good night, Tais," I whisper, my eyelid drooping.

"Good night, Buck," Taisley replies. I close my eye and fall fast asleep.

It has been a couple of days since I snuck out of the cave. Taisley is still caring for me. She is hardly leaving my side for anything other than to get food. I don't feel much like eating, though. This isn't because I miss mom. I feel sick.

I look around. Taisley isn't in the cave. I pull myself up into a sitting position. I stumble to my paws. I shuffle out of the cave, while biting back the whimpers of pain. I see Taisley there, as well as the rest of the herd. Taisley turns to me. She looks surprised to see me. "Buck! You shouldn't be up!" Taisley rushes to hold me.

"Taisley?" I gasp. A whimper forces itself past my lips.

Taisley frowns with worry. "What's wrong, Buck?" She asks.

"I…I don't feel so good…" I groan.

Taisley places a paw on my forehead. She gasps. "You're burning up!" Taisley helps me back inside the cave. She lays me back on my nest. Taisley grabs some water and brings it to me. She wets a leaf in the water and places it on my forehead.

I groan. "Can…can I 'ave some water?" I rasp out. My throat feels dry and gritty like sand.

Taisley feeds me the water. I drink it greedily. "Slow down or you will make yourself even more sick!" Taisley chides.

I finish drinking the water. I cough into my paw. I turn to my side. I curl up, trying to give myself some extra warmth. "Thank you…" I mumble.

"You're welcome, Buck. Try to get some sleep," Taisley strokes my forehead.

I close my eye. Almost immediately, though, my eye snaps open. Horror is written in my eye. "Taisley, I…I think 'm gonna…throw up…" I whimper.

Taisley's eyes widen. "It's okay, Buck. Go ahead. I won't be ashamed of you…" Taisley soothes me.

I turn hot and cold. I shiver violently. My stomach lurches. I begin vomiting, some of it landing on myself. Taisley is stroking my back, trying to soothe me as I heave and retch. When I finish vomiting, Taisley takes a wet leaf and cleans my fur free of the vomit. I look up at her. "'m sorry 'bout that. I didn't mean ta vomit 'ere. 'm sorry ya 'ad ta see that…" I whimper.

"No, Buck. Don't be sorry. It's alright," Taisley smiles reassuringly. She strokes my forehead again. She turns her attention to the puddle of vomit on the cave floor. "You should get to sleep. I'll clean that vomit up," Taisley says.

"'m sorry…" I mumble.

"I told you before. It isn't your fault. Just try to sleep. You will feel better after you get some rest," Taisley soothes me.

I close my eye. It isn't long before I fall asleep.

The next time that I wake up, I'm still nauseous. I look around. I start to get a little scared when I don't see Taisley next to me. I groan, the pain intensifying. I manage to push myself up in a sitting position, one arm wrapped around my stomach. I let out a whine. I turn my face towards the entrance to the cave. I stumble to my paws. The pain shooting through my stomach is pure agony. I whimper.

I start shuffling towards the cave entrance, swaying slightly. I exit the cave. I'm made a little more afraid when I still don't see Taisley anywhere. I look around. There is no one nearby. "Taisley?" I call out.

I hear a rustling in some nearby bushes. Taisley steps out from behind them. "Buck? What are you doing up?" She asks, while rushing to my side.

"I…I wanted ta find ya…I…I was scared when I didn't see ya next ta me…" I confess.

"Oh…I'm sorry I scared you…Come back inside. You need to rest," Taisley tries to lead me inside.

I pull away. "No, Tais! I…I feel like…'m gonna…throw up…again…" I moan.

Taisley's eyes widen. "Are you sure?" She asks.

I slowly nod my head, mindful of my headache. My stomach twists into knots. It lurches. I clamp a paw over my mouth, trying to keep myself from vomiting. I dart away from Taisley and towards the bushes. I hunch over the bushes and begin vomiting. I hear Taisley come over to me. I feel her stroke a paw over my back as I continue to heave and retch. I cough and choke on the vomit. Taisley pats my back in an effort to stop my choking. After a while, I finish vomiting.

Taisley takes a wet leaf and wipes my face clean of the vomit. I collapse against Taisley, exhausted after vomiting. I nuzzle my head under her chin. Taisley wraps her arms around me. "It's alright, Buck. Don't worry. Just go to sleep. I can carry you to your nest," Taisley strokes my forehead. I turn and bury my face in her fur. I close my eye. I fall asleep, comforted by Taisley's soothing gesture. I'm content in knowing that Taisley will always be by my side. At least, I'll be content until I wake up again.

I squirm a bit when I begin to wake up again. I blink my eye and look around the cave, still feeling sick to my stomach. Taisley isn't in the cave anymore. I whimper softly. "Tais! Tais, where are ya?" I call hoarsely.

There's no answer. I roll on my side and try to push myself up off of my nest. The pains in my stomach halt my progress. I collapse back on my nest. I roll over on my back. My stomach is still cramping up. When the lurch comes, I'm not able to resist it. I only have enough time to sit up before I begin vomiting. Unfortunately, every bit of the vomit lands all over me. I can't stop, though. All I can do is allow myself to finish vomiting. When I finish, I feel so weak I can't even think about getting up. Instead, I just collapse back on my nest. I'm not all that tired, so I just lie awake, eagerly awaiting Taisley's arrival.

Luckily, I don't have to wait for very long. Taisley appears inside the cave maybe five minutes later. She's shocked when she sees me, still covered with vomit. "Buck! What happened?" She asks.

"I…Um…I kinda…threw up…" I mumble, a blush coating my cheeks.

"Oh…let's get you cleaned up, alright?" Taisley suggests.

"'kay, Tais. But…I can't get up…," I reply.

"Don't worry, Buck. I'll go get a bucket of water and a rag and bring them here," Taisley continues. She leaves the cave momentarily to retrieve the necessary items.

When Taisley returns, she cleans the vomit from my fur with a water-soaked rag. She then dries my fur with the extra rag she brought. I feel better now that I'm not covered with vomit anymore.

"How are you feeling, Buck?" Taisley asks.

"I…my belly still hurts, but I do feel a little better. Um…Tais, can ya stay wi' me?" I ask nervously.

"Oh, of course I'll stay with you, Buck. Now, get some more sleep. Everything will be better in the morning," Taisley strokes my forehead.

I smile a little before letting my eye slide shut. I let Taisley's gentle touch lull me to sleep.