Owen peeked over his head and blinked. "Huh. I really should read the plants catalog too."
Axelius grinned, resting his hands on his knees. "You better. You're not just my backpack, you're also my dictionary now! Hahaha!"
"No, no," Owen corrected with a huff. "It's not called a dictionary. You should say... encyclopedia! Or maybe, a walking library."
Axelius snorted. "Pfft. Same thing. Smart little blob."
But before he could admire the flower any longer, a sharp voice came from behind.
"Walk along, Axelius. You don't want to be left alone in here," Seraphina said, her tone strict but not angry.
"Yeah, yeah," Axelius replied, standing up with a sigh.
But just as he took a step forward, a huge shadow suddenly swooped down from the sky.
He ducked and squatted, feeling the wind rush above him.
"GE—!" He gasped, heart pounding. "Geez! Is that bird trying to take me? Just because I'm small doesn't mean they can just snatch me up like a worm, tsk!"
