My eyes shot open as I struggled to breathe, my mind racing at 1000mph trying to figure out what was going on.

"*Huff* I remember now... I was fighting this overgrown lizard." I said while gasping for air.

I pushed the lizard off my chest which made it easier to breathe. Although what I saw under the lizard was terrifying.

5 large claw marks stretched from my left pec straight down past my belly button. When I looked at the gashes closely, I could see muscles torn to pieces and my ribs threatening to poke out.

"I got lucky... if those claws dug any deeper I'd probably be dead right now. I'm still not out of the woods yet though."

Blood continued to slowly seep out through the wound, even though I was on my back. This made for a scary situation, I had to come up with a plan to get back to the village so I can get help.

I tried standing up but the pain was so bad that I bit my lower lip and laid my body back down. After a while, I tried again, and although it hurt I pushed past the pain and stood up.

Using my barrier, I pressed it hard against my injury and tried molding it into the shape of the wound to stop the bleeding.

"Why won't you work?! I just molded you so that I could kill that lizard, so why not now? *Sigh* whatever I'll just press it hard against the wound to help counteract the bleeding." I said while clenching my teeth.

The pain I felt with every step was akin to my body getting cut by a blade over and over again. As I walked forward with a barrier pressed against my wound I looked back at the giant lizard.

'It's a shame I can't bring it back with me, but I can barely walk straight so what's the point in trying? I'm not some sort of monster... I need to remember the limitations of a 4-year-old. It's a miracle I even made it out alive in the first place.'

After looking away from the lizard I continued forward slowly. With my hand placed on top of my barrier to apply more pressure, I walked in a crooked line while hobbling.

*****

"Who is that?" A random tribesman said.

"Isn't that Zakkars boy? Why is he holding his stomach like that?" Another joined in.

Just as the tribesmen were about to approach, the boy suddenly collapsed on the ground. After seeing the boy collapse, the 2 tribesmen ran toward him.

When they secured him, others came rushing to help after hearing their calls.

"It's bad Zakkar, the boy has lost too much blood and is barely clinging to life. I fear the worst." The old geezer said.

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"Why? Hakkar, why did you have to run away? I can't lose you... I can't." Zakkar cried out.

"*Hic* what's wrong with Hakkar, Daddy? Is he going to be ok?" Rei said while standing next to Shakkar.

"Don't worry you two, Hakkar will wake up for sure. It's just a matter of time."

Just as Zakkar was comforting the two crying children, more people flew through the 'door'. It was Ulta and her family, the only one not present with them was her mother.

"Zakkar, what's wrong with the boy?" Chief Tyu asked.

"He was attacked by a creature and was injured pretty badly. I don't know what to do... I don't want to lose him. I wouldn't be forgiven when I see Yu again." He said while suppressing his tears.

"*Sob* Hakkar!! Hakkar, wake up! Don't leave me again dummy *Sob*!" Ulta cried while shaking my body.

"*Hic* Brother, please wake up." Shakkar whispered.

"Father, is there no way to save the young boy's life? Nothing?" Chief Tyu said to the old geezer.

"I will try my best to give him the opportunity to wake up, but it will all come down to his willpower. Even though it's a bad injury, the boy can still recover if he has enough will to live. The medicine we'll give him will help... but it won't fix him completely, we don't have the resources for that." The old man responded.

"I don't care Elder... just bring my baby boy back to me. *Sob* I'll do anything." Father pleaded with the old man.

"Very well, but just remember that if he chooses to die over living then the medicine will have no effect. It's all up to Hakkar now." The old man responded.

*****

'I could hear them calling my name... So then why couldn't I wake up and reassure them? Everyone, even the old man was trying his hardest, so then why am I still lying in bed?! Me dying would be the same as bringing grief upon my family... and I swore I would never let grief befall them again. WAKE UP HAKKAR!!.'

*Gasp*

"Where am I." I said softly.

I don't know how long it's been, but one day my eyes opened again. Slowly the scenery of my tiny cloth hut came into view as my vision became less hazy. I tried sitting up, but my stomach still felt like it was burning both on the inside and out.

Eventually, someone walked through the 'door' and when I saw them I called out.

"Shakkar... how did I get back in the hut?" I said softly.

The small bucket of water Shakkar was holding dropped to the floor, and even though his hair covered his eyes I could still see tears forming.

"Hakkar? Was that you just now, brother?" Shakkar said while trembling.

"Who else... could talk to you in this empty hut slow brain?" I jabbed at him.

"BROTHER!! You really are awake!" Shakkar screamed out.

"Ow ow ow, watch the injury, please."

"Brother, you don't know how long we've waited for you to wake up. Everyone in the village is worried for you, especially Father, he's been looking for ingredients to help you recover. That's right, I have to go tell them you're ok." Shakkar rattled off.

After he spoke his peace, he ran out the 'door' to inform the others of my recovery. I was left alone to think about my shortcomings.

"I was wrong!" I said quietly while clenching my fist.

'What is wrong with me?! Just because Mother died, I subjected my family to even more worry! I wasn't the cause of her death! My fault... give me a break, none of the tribesmen wash themselves which makes them more prone to illnesses. The only reason I blamed myself was because I couldn't handle the pain anymore... I didn't want to see anyone else die, but in doing so I caused my family to suffer. What a lousy son and brother I am, I could have done better. I could have been smarter. I could have… no, I WILL make things right.'

Just as I finished beating myself up, a massive gorilla ran through the 'door' to the hut.

"Hakkar? Are you really awake? Have you finally gotten better?" The gorilla said while trying to catch its breath.

"Yes, I'm awake now, Father." I said with a smile.