Challenge #04389-L005: 'Tis But a Scratch! by internutter

fiction · @internutter · Jan 5 '25

$1.39

Challenge #04389-L005: 'Tis But a Scratch!

![erik-jan-leusink-HrMD7MngiBE-unsplash.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/internutter/23wCLX1GbjqofbHStC3B5W6ZvAdzAa8h6GsQfhuSSy2HEpvUGhrzJUJC1FLbk9EGFQCtt.jpg)

> Human, why is there a long, red, gash across your hand??
> "Oh, that's just a scratch don't worry, already treated it."
> But it looks enflamed!
> "Yah, we humans do that when we get small cuts like this, it's sterilized, and treated, but it'll look bad for an hour or so, then heal right up." -- Anon Guest

"Are you certain? An injury like that should be inspected by medical. Just to be sure it won't get worse." Companion Gine bobbed in concern, glancing again and again at the reddened mark on Human Joe's arm. "I know you are a Deathworlder, but the risk remains."

"We're gonna get yelled at," predicted Joe, showing her teeth for a brief instant before remembering to cover them. "It's just a little souvenir of my new kitten. Nothing big. I'll get dozens more before he grows up enough to get lazy."

"I have already expressed my concerns regarding your companion predator. It attacks anything that moves."

"He's a kitten. That's what they _do_. The nature of the beast, if you will."

"And the nature of cuts," argued Gine, "is that they can become infected. I would be a poor Companion and a worse friend if I did not insist that you see the ship's Medik to make certain."

"I never said I wasn't going," sighed Joe. "I just said that we're going to get yelled at."

Medik Boenz scanned the injury and asked, "You wash this as soon as possible?"

"Yup. Then I covered it with the synthskin tape. Direct from the dispenser to my hide."

"Then you've done all you need to do. Let it cycle through your healing process and you'll be fine." Boenz frowned at them, "Now why the flakk are you wasting my time with a power's-damned _cat scratch_?"

"Told you so," said Joe.

[Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@ejleusink?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Erik-Jan Leusink</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/yawning-brown-tabby-kitten-HrMD7MngiBE?utm_content=creditCopyText&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=unsplash">Unsplash</a>]

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