I have been traveling for a while, though I'm still sick. Now, I am nearly there. I'm sure the herd will be surprised when they see me. We hadn't seen each other in quite a few years.

I continue on. However, my nausea has been slowing me down considerably. I had to stop quite a few times to vomit. I hope that all traces are gone from my face. I don't want the herd to see me like that.

Finally, I spot the familiar faces of the herd. They turn towards me and gasp in shock. "Buck!" They run towards me and skid to a stop.

"'ey, ev'rybody!" I smile, still ignoring my growing nausea.

Ellie is the first one to notice that something's wrong. "Are you feeling alright?" She asks. Worry is clear in her eyes.

"'m fine," I lie.

Ellie doesn't buy it, especially since I'm shaking. "Buck, you look sick," she deadpans.

"'m jus' no' used ta th' weather up 'ere, tha's all!" I wave Ellie's concern off with a fake cheerful smile.

My illness becomes harder to hide, though, when the nausea grows even more. I groan, wrapping my right arm around my stomach. I can feel sharp pains assaulting my stomach. Before I can stop myself, I fall to my knees and begin to vomit onto the snow. My breathing is ragged as I continue to heave and retch. I let out a high pitched whine when my stomach continues to release all of its contents.

When I finish vomiting, I become aware of something touching my shoulders. I look to see that Ellie has wrapped her trunk around me. I feel heat rise in my cheeks. I look away, whimpering softly from both embarrassment and pain.

Ellie notices the look in my eye. "It's okay, Buck. We don't think less of you. We're just worried about you, that's all," Ellie smiles while saying that.

I whimper a little more. "I…'m no' used ta thi'…I 'aven't bin sick fer years…" I groan.

"I understand. You don't have to be used to it, though. We'll help you," Ellie offers.

"Thanks, Ellie," I whisper hoarsely.

"You're welcome, Buck. Now, I'll carry you on my back, if you want," Ellie suggests.

I nod my head. "'kay," I reply, breaking off with a cough.

Ellie picks me up with her trunk and places me gently on her back. I curl up in the warmth of Ellie's fur. I sniffle and groan, shivering from the cold. I feel Ellie place her trunk over me in a comforting gesture. I smile a bit before yawning. I close my eye and drift off to sleep.

I wake up again only a few minutes later. The pain makes it impossible to sleep. I am still riding on Ellie. My stomach is seizing with nausea. I gasp. "Ellie, I think…I think 'm gonna…throw up…'gain…" I groan.

Ellie picks me up with her trunk and lowers me to the ground. My stomach lurches. I lean forward and begin vomiting. I heave and retch, bringing up the contents of my stomach. I cough, choking on the vomit that's still rising from my throat. I feel Ellie patting me on the back with her trunk in an effort to stop my choking.

After a while, I stop vomiting. Ellie wraps her trunk around me. I rest my head against Ellie's trunk, exhausted after vomiting. I sigh. "Ellie, le's ge' outta 'ere…" I whisper.

"Alright. Just get some sleep. We'll help you," Ellie smiles warmly at me.

I slowly nod my head. I wait for Ellie to place me back on her back. I curl up in a shivering, sickly ball of fur. I close my partly reddened eye. I am asleep yet again in only a few seconds.