Runaways: The Journey Home

Chapter 31

It was late December now, though without a calendar, it was hard for Brooklyn to remember the days. But he could tell that winter was on its way, hence the cold weather. He knew he had to say farewell to his dear friend, which pained him to think about.

He woke at 9:30, stretching but flinched from his sore muscles and scars that were practically healed after the past few painful days. Brook was grateful for Winter in playing his part of catching food for him instead. She had been great to have around. Winter heard him wake up, her tail wagging again, giving another woof. Smiling, Brooklyn reached to pet her, knowing this was their last day together, feeling his heart ache.

"Hi, girl. I feel up for fishing. You want to come?" He asked, trying not to sound teary while putting his empty bottles in his bag. Winter wiggled in excitement, licking Brooklyn again as the beaked gargoyle went to open the door.

The two strolled down the path one more time, Brooklyn gazing out at the island that had been his solitary, temporary home for a while; preparing himself for seeing humans again. They reached the river and Brooklyn allowed Winter to do her own fishing. She jumped in the shallow water, grabbing at the fish and sometimes missing them while Brooklyn pulled out one of his bottles and began to fill them up for the journey.

I have a feeling I will be talking about my wolf friend back at home, Brooklyn thought to himself, seeing Winter with a fish in her mouth then eating it. She also brought Brooklyn one he was willing to eat one more time.

He sat down after filling the last of his bottles, eating the fish with her to gain his strength for flying. The bandages had by now been removed since the bleeding had stopped. Winter sat down next to her gargoyle companion, seeing his ears flattened, sometimes gazing out towards the rest of Lake Michigan on the other side.

Brooklyn then turned to her. "I don't like to say this Winter, but I really have to return to my family. They miss me and I miss them. But you've been a good friend. I can't take you back with me because I don't think you'd be able to live freely in my city like you do here," he said, sniffling a little. Winter whined softly, pawing him gently. This made Brooklyn know that he would need something to distract her while he left.

He went to the river, where Winter watched with a tilted head. Brooklyn spotted a big catfish swimming in the river. Knowing it was a good choice, Brook dove onto the fish, pinning it down, then delivering the killing bite.

One last time hunting. Hopefully for good, the red male thought, shaking himself off. He then called Winter to him.

Tears now began coming slowly. "H-here, girl. W-wanted to say thank you for saving me. I wish I can take you with me but my life at home is much more dangerous for you than here, wish you'd understand. But I ha-have nice meal for you," Brook sniffled, putting the fish down.

Winter wagged her tail, licking Brooklyn one more time and he petted her once more too before getting up. The wolf began to eat the fish, ignoring Brooklyn now who knew this was his chance. Nodding to the wolf, he backed away, quietly sneaking off to the other side of the island so he could glide away from this place.

He found a rock face and climbed it to get high enough into the air before he took to the air spreading his wings. He hoped they wouldn't cramp up on his way across the rest of the lake.

Brooklyn got across the rest of the land and didn't even want to stop to look back at the island. It would just make him more upset that he was leaving Winter behind.

Back on the island, Winter finished her fish and noticed her friend wasn't around and she found his scent and followed it to where he climbed up the rock face to get into the air. There, she lost his scent.