I pace the floor, nervously waiting and hoping. I never was this nervous about anyone before but maybe it's because my own dumbassery was on display.

When Dove and I rode into town, I exchanged some words with some son of a bitch who then pulled out his gun. While trying to grab mine, I heard the sound of a gunshot and felt the little birdy fall from Nina as she reared. Without thinking, I had jumped from Nina to grab the birdy.

It got so chaotic. I remember shooting and then riding off on Nina. I don't know if I shot that man or someone else.

I know I rode Nina as fast as I could with birdy sprawled on my lap, bleeding like crazy. I knew one man that could help. When i arrived at his house, he looked horrified and we got to work quickly on stopping the bleeding and bandaging the little bird.

"He's a lucky man, Shang Show. It grazed his shoulder," Jacob says, brushing his black hair back and shaking his head. "Now the thing is to make sure it's not infected. You idiot, what happened?"

"A sunnabitch said somethin' 'bout me an' I said some shit back."

"...I never know what's bigger: Your idiocy or your pride."

I sigh and say, "I know I ain't need to say anythin' but..."

"But you felt like you had to say something." Jacob continues to grind what looks like herbs and such together before looking back to me. "Listen...Michah, I know you're after Calvin James. But don't you think it's a bit dangerous taking this young man with you?"

"He's the reason Calvin gon' come afta me. I'm waitin' for Calvin to notice," I say. "I knew shit was dangerous but I ain't think he was gon' get hurt."

"You're a bounty hunter and goin' around, arguing with people. You didn't think for two seconds that he'd be in danger? At all?"

"Gon' off my ass, Jacob."

Jacob shakes his head and goes back to grinding his herbs. "I'm going to keep an eye on him. You're damn lucky I know a bit about medicine or else, he'd be a goner. You know the close calls you had when you came to me?"

"Yea yea," I say, stepping out of the hogan to smoke. My nerves is shot and I need to relax somehow.

"Michah! Come here! He's awake!"

I rush in to see the little birdy sitting up and looking around, as if he has no idea where he is. I sigh in relief as I come closer.

"There's a bit of an infection going on but it should heal up just fine," Jacob says, deciding to speak in Diné bizaad. "I'll make more medicine for him to fight the infection. Again, he's a lucky man and you need to make sure he stays safe. Go ahead and talk to him."

"Thank you so much, Jacob. I'll make it up to you," i respond, patting his shoulder.

"Don't die or get injured over something stupid. That's how you can make it up to me," Jacob snorts as he walks out.

I look to Dove and kneel beside him. "How ya feelin'?"

"I could strangle you," Dove says back.

"Thats a good sign. My buddy ova thurr said you prolly have a bit of an infection but you gon' be alright," I say to him. "You had me worried sick!"

"I was shot. Why was I shot? You're the one who argued with that man," Dove huffs.

I chuckle as I move a piece of hair from his face. I had noticed before but right at this moment, actually getting to see his face...He's got this kind of charm about him. I wouldn't say he's handsome but he's definitely beautiful. He sticks out like a sore ass thumb but I think that adds even more to it. 

I must have been staring for too long as I hear dove say, "You can stop touching me now."

"ah, you right," I respond, pulling my hand back. I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck as I look back to Little Birdy. 

After what felt like an eternity, I say, "I'm sorry. I ain't think you was gonna get hurt like you did. Atleast it was just a graze, right?"

The glare Little Birdy gives me makes me recoil a little bit, not gon' lie. He scowls before he lies down on the uninjuried side of his body, facing away from me. I reach out to give him a pat but I shake my head and decide against it.

"We might be hurr fo' a while. Rest up, Birdy," I say as I get up and head out the house. 

I sit on the ground and sigh. The tightness in my chest almost takes my breath away. I know this feeling is a feeling of guilt but there's something else in this. I'ont know what it is but it makes it hurt even more. I pull out my little tin box and begin rolling up a cigarette. 

Me and the Little Birdy gon' be here for a while. Might as well make the most of the rest.