When Dragon's Hearts Were Good

"Fantástico, chica. That's impressive. Uh... exactly how old are you?" Arturo asked.

Jason woke up with a bit of hard breathing. he gripped where his wound was. it felt like he had a fire brewing inside the wound. it was so harsh he couldn't summmon enough breath to call for help.

"13." She smiled proudly.

Dianne rolled over, "Kid, you make more sound than a energetic pig when you sleep. Is everything OK?"

"Damn...." Arturo mused to himself. "Well, let's see if we can get this thing open." He said, looking at the box.

Calico nodded, grabbing a plank of wood from the deck and using it to pry the box open, "There you are..." she grinned, moving aside a bunch of wood shavings that were in the box until she came to the actual contents of the box. A large, heavy egg.

Arturo smirked and picked up the egg. "A huevo? Hmm... early breakfast."

Calico looked at it curiously, "I don't think we should eat it." she said simply, "It's bigger than my head, so it's not a chicken egg. It might not be safe to eat."

He laughed a little. "Ahh, but with some salsa, this could have potential."

"If it's not poisonous." Calico pointed out.

Jason looked over at dianne with a pained expression. his breaths were very haggard, as if he was having trouble breathing. it was very clear, even in the dim lighting, that he was in terrible pain.

Arturo shrugged a little. "Then what would you do with it, chica?"

"I don't know. Sell it. The market is good for ostrich eggs. This might be one." She said with a shrug.

Dianne sighed, "What did you do, fall on a knife?" she exhaled, "Hold on, I'll get blondie."

Jason shook his head and managed to choke out the word 'shrapnel' he was hardly able to breath now. it was as if he was being strangled.

"Ah... and you're sure you're just 13?" He asked again.

Calico nodded, "Born August 15th of 1563."

"Damn." Arturo repeated. "Well, should we tell everyone, or just keep this to us?" He asked.

"Hm... Well, I think we should tell the captain." Calico said simply, "Other than that, don't tell anyone else."
Calico quickly hid it behind her back when Dianne came up on deck, "Hey, the crow's nest boy is acting funny."
Calico nodded as Dianne went back below deck, "Hide it. We'll show it to Noah come morning."

Arturo nodded. "I'll put it my pants, no one should notice. Dianne will agree on that, too." He joked, looking for a hiding place.

Jason was gripping the wound and trying hard to get enough air in his lungs. he wasn't crying though.

Calico came down below deck, "God, it's dark in here. Dianne, can you get some light."
Dianne muttered something under her breath and turned the lights on.
Calico moved Jason's hand, "God, looks like something must have gotten in. Dianne? Sorry to bother you again, but I need some alcohol. Whiskey, rum, scotch, whatever."
Dianne sighed and went to a room in the back.

Jason looked up at her, still fighting for breaths. his eyes betrayed how scared he was right now. that was his lie detector. his eyes always gave away how he truely felt.

Calico looked him in the eyes, "I've got this. It happens a lot, just trust me here."
When Dianne came back with the alcohol, Calico took the bandages off of his wound, then poured the liquor on it. It would sting a bit, but not too bad. Calico rewrapped the wound with clean bandages and gave him the rest of the bottle, "If it starts hurting again, then just drink till you forget about it."

Jason nodded slowly and managed to force a small smile. he still was having too much trouble breathing to speak s he just mouthed out a thanks.

Calico gave a light smile, "No problem." she exhaled deeply and sat down, "You can go back to bed, Dianne."
"Thank god..." she sighed, turning out the lights and laying down.

After hiding the egg, Arturo made his way back below deck, tripping a few times in the dim light.