CHAPTER FOUR: So lonely

He didn't feel much better next day. His body was all bruised and sore from the hard beating he'd received from the animals.

"Kowalski, I don't think I'm strong enough to train today. I have to stay in bed" he moaned to the tallest penguin who was making his way towards the fridge. "I guess I shall give you another day off".

"We haven't planned any trainings for today in the first place" muttered Kowalski. "King Julien is throwing a Snowcone party today at seven o'clock p.m".

"But you're not invited" chimed in Private quickly. There was a note of malicious satisfaction ringing in his voice.

"So we have to prepare ourselves in time, buy some food and stuffs" continued Kowalski without even sending a glance at his leader. The pain in the wound came back. Skipper clutched his flipper and distorted his beak in a painful grimace.

"Seems like you've finally learned your lesson, ey?" asked Kowalski, before taking a sip from his favorite cup. "I'd rather if you didn't follow us on our way to the party. If Burts sees you out he will rip you up into pieces and flush your body parts down the sewer. There will be no mercy. That's what he said."

Skipper was totally speechless from shock.

Private put his cup aside and let out a serie of short, loud sneezes. He then sniffed his nose loudly.

"Sheesh, Private. Don't tell me you're sick. You're going to have a great time at King Julien's party today!" commented Kowalski. "You have to be in full strength!"

"Good Golly, Kowalski. That was just a couple of sneezes! "remarked Private. But just after he'd said that he grabbed his head with his flipper and massaged it.

"Owch!"

"Okay, then. Rico and I are going to the nearest shop to buy some ingredients for our fruit Salad". Decided Kowalski.

Just after they'd left, Private waddled up towards the TV corner and reached for a remote control. But before he had a chance to switch On the telly, he was interrupted by another serie of loud sneezes, followed by dry cough.

"Private.. come here" he heard his leader's sore voice.

"What?" he barked with annoyance and turned around.

"I just need to check up on you" said Skipper. Each word would pound in his head like a hammer. Private threw his remote control aside and reluctantly waddled up towards Skipper's bunk.

Skipper reached his healthy flipper and touched Private's forehead with concern.

"You seem a little feverish" he whispered watching over his youngest soldier.

"No, I'm not, would you please, leave me alone!" snapped Private, squirming away from his touch. He then staggered a little bit, as another wave of dizziness swooned across his body.

"Don't you even try saying that!" he cried aggressively, seeing that Skipper was just about to open his beak again. "I am NOT going to miss the party!"

"I didn't say that!" remarked Skipper, sorrow and concern ringing in his voice. "But before you go.. I would like you to lie down for a while and collect your strengths. It will make you feel better."

Private rolled his eyes and went to his bunk.

Skipper got up and made his way towards the kitchen to make something to eat. Two minutes later he was back at Private's bedside with a small bowl of Penguin Manna.

"Here, eat some" he offered, stretching a spoonful towards Private's beak.

" Burt says he is going to kill you. You should really stay away, you know." Said Private after he'd received another part of the fodder.

"I will" whispered Skipper, making the most of himself to hold back tears forming in his eyes.

When the feeding time was other, Private wrapped himself in his bedsheets and dozed off for fifteen minutes. Kowalski and Rico came back from shopping one hour later, with bags full of coconuts, mangos and tuna cans.

At quarter to six they would eventually leave the HQ without even bidding Skipper goodbye. Skipper lied in his bunk, his mind full of sorrow thoughts. He noticed Private was still shivering from time to time and forgot to take his jumper with him. After a while of hesitation, Skipper got up from his bunk, took Private's jumper (the blue one, with violet Lunacorn patterns) and decided to drop it off to his youngest comrade just in case.

The night was rather cold. Everything was completely deserted. He made his way towards King Julien's habitat. The animals were already there. Judging by their joyful singing and laughing, they seemed to have great fun. Skipper didn't forgot about Burt's warning so he pulled out a walkie talkie and decided to contact Private on the quiet. But then he spotted a large, kangaroo-shaped shadow in the lantern-light. His heart sank.

"What exactly did I tell you about NOT trashing about , you pitiful penguin? It's not your zoo anymore" hissed the bad-tempered kangaroo and sent Skipper fleeing across the pavement. Private's jumper landed under the bench. Skipper landed on the ground in a crumpled heap; an excruciating pain pierced through his right ankle.

"I'm warning you bird. If you don't leave the zoo in less than three days, I'm gonna whip the ground with you!" said Joey and leaped towards King Julien's habitat.

Skipper collected himself from the ground. Each move would cost him terrible pain, not to mention his sore ankle. He leaped towards his HQ, all alone in the dark night, tears streaming down his bruised cheeks.