Dawn

Leaving

The moon shone brightly, high above Rocky, bathing the beach in a silvery-white. Rocky looked up at it, and a few clouds began hiding its light from him. Stupid powers...Rocky thought bitterly. You know...had I know what I'd have to go through...I never would have agreed to take them... Rocky glanced back at the Lookout and sighed sadly. I'm always running. From someone...something...or myself. When can I stop running?

A tear hit the sand as Rocky realized that he would be running for the rest of his life. No matter how many times Zuma tells me he'll be okay, I know he doesn't want to leave. He's going to miss everyone just as much as I will. Rocky placed a paw in the water, still amazed at how natural it felt. Good old Zuma... Rocky thought, smiling a little to himself. Where am I going to take you, little guy? Where can we go where you'll be safe? What am I doing? Where am I going? Why am I here? Why me? He felt a paw on his shoulder and turned to see Marshall.

"I thought I might find you here," he murmured, sitting beside him. Rocky didn't have to say anything, but he didn't have to. Marshall already understood. "I'm really sorry about all this shit...it's not fair for you. It seems like if it isn't one thing, it's another. Everything seems to go wrong for you."

"Thanks for the encouragement, Marshall," Rocky said dryly. "But yeah...that's about how I feel. But guess what? That's not even the worst part. I don't really care what happened to me."

"Then...?"Marshall asked.

"It's okay that all this happened. I guess fate wants revenge for when my father cheated her." Marshall smiled and rolled his eyes, amused. "But in all seriousness, I really just want this to end. I can deal with what has happened to me. But the problem is...I don't think it ever will end. I'm starting to ask myself...is it worth running anymore? Should I just give in...and let them have me?"

"No, of course not!" Marshall exclaimed.

"But think about it. If I keep doing this, I'll be hiding for the rest of my life. And that will not be good for me...or Zuma..."

"Wha?" Marshall asked.

"I'm leaving, Marshall. And...Zuma is coming with me." Rocky admitted. Marshall was quiet for a moment.

"When were you going to tell us?" he asked softly.

"I wasn't...I don't like sad partings and tears and all of that shit. I'd rather just have them find out. Zuma and I are leaving tonight...please don't tell anyone."

"Or course not, Rocky...I'm just..." Marshall trailed off.

"Stunned? Shocked? Confused? Sad?" Rocky suggested.

"A little of all of that," Marshall replied.

"That's how I feel a lot," Rocky replied. "I don't see a positive way forward in life for me anymore. I know they always say there is light at the end of the tunnel and the rainbow comes out after the storm and the flowers only grow when it rains and all of that...but I don't think that applies to me anymore. How am I going to get out of this?" Rocky said in depression and despair. Marshall barked angrily.

"Oh, how I wish to god that I had never met Jason, and that you had never met him either. I know that technically, he brought us together, in a sick, twisted way, but I'd rather never meet you than have your life in such turmoil."

"I've been thinking that too," Rocky said guiltily.

"Oh, don't sound so ashamed!" Marshall said, hugging him. "You've been through a lot." Rocky sniffed.

"What really hurts is that I thought it was over. I had plans...big plans for my life...and that will never happen now. All I've ever done in my life was to protect others, or myself. That's it! That's everything! I don't like killing people, or anyone for that matter...I feel like a murderer..."