Galaxy Fam

Loss of Light

TOH SEASON THREE SPOILERS AHEAD

Philip knew he didn't have much time left before the police came and got him for his crimes. The man decided he would go out with a bang and get a little payback towards the little brat and got him arrested in the first place.

and he knew exactly how to do it.

He looked out the window and saw Hunter and his friends across the street, playing in the Porters' front yard. His eyes were locked on the target

A flurry of crimson perched on Hunter's shoulder.

"Goodbye, pest." He said to himself, stone cold blue eyes shifted from the window to the dagger on the mantel. He picked it up, inspecting the jagged blade. Philip grinned when he saw his reflection, adjusting the golden cross around his neck.

"Perfect."

Philip did not need to use a distraction as Hunter seeing his face was good enough to startle the boy and send him into a panic attack. The man stepped out onto the porch, and Hunter immediately became paralyzed as he felt Philip breathe down his neck.
The former priest put a hand on his shoulder and whispered in his ear.

"Hunter.."

His friends turned around after they heard his voice, and Hunter's panicked breathing. The five other teenagers went into defense mode, picking up whatever they could find and being prepared to weaponize it. "Let him go, Belos!" Luz had her baseball bat gripped in her hands, getting ready to swing.

Hunter could feel his chest constrict, the world around him becoming fuzzy.

all Hunter heard at the moment was angry, displeased chirping. Hunter, with whatever control of his trauma ridden body he had left, turned his head. He watched with fearful amber eyes as Philip snatched the bird from the air, holding Flapjack in a tight grip.  His friends were terrified and frozen with fear as Philip pulled out his dagger. The boy fought the paralyzing fear of his biological father, rushing toward him. But Philip just pushed him to the floor, placing his foot on Hunter's sternum. "You wouldn't want me harming your precious bird, would you? Oh, but then again, I don't care what you want. Goodbye, pest".

Hunter was forced to watch as Philip drove the blade into Flapjack's little body, his blood dripping onto his clothes.

Philip dropped Flapjack into Hunter's hands, walking away. Hunter held his beloved bird in his trembling hands, tears dripping from soft amber eyes. "No, no, no! You'll be okay, buddy. Hang on, Flap.."

Luz called Night the moment she snapped out of it, and within moments, Hunter and Night were on the way to Gravesfield Veterinary Hospital. Hunter wrapped Flapjack in a small blanket, keeping a watchful eye on him.

No words were uttered, just Hunter's soft tears in the backseat.
~~~

Night stepped out, mother and son running inside. "My son's bird is severely wounded! Please help!"
Soon enough, the two were rushed into a room. "What happened to him, kiddo?" The vet asked softly, her hand on his shoulder. "My friends and I were playing in the front yard and my biological father came over and stabbed my bird. Please help Flapjack... he's my best friend, and he acts as my service animal. I can't imagine a life without him."

"We'll see what we can do. Hang in there, little guy." She said kindly, but Hunter ignored her, stepping into the waiting room.
~~~~~
"Hunter Slydale?"

Hunter looked up from his phone  to see the veterinarian from earlier. Her face was solemn

"I'm sorry, young man. We did everything we could, but he's gone..."

"What..?" Hunter began to tremble, his eyes filling up with tears. Night had her hands over her mouth in shock. "No! You're lying!" Hunter screamed, his body shaking as he stood up.

"I'm sorry, kid. But I'm not."

Hunter followed the veterinarian into another room, where Flapjack lay lifeless. The boy held the bird to his chest, tears coating his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, Flap.. I was too much of a coward to protect you from that bastard. I love you-"

The boy couldn't even finish a sentence with his companion's name, as his sobs became fully fledged wails of agony. Night ran in, scooping him up and carrying him to the car. Hunter was beating himself up, the screams of agony were tough on Night's ears. Listening to her baby's agonizing cries was absolutely heart shattering for her.

Night carried him into the house, rocking him gently. The young mother knew that sleeping in his own room would give Hunter immediate reminders of his former companion, so she laid him down in her own room that she shared with her beloved husband. Night tucked him in, placing his beloved wolf plush 'Captain' next to him.

Hunter lay shaking, reaching out for his mother. "No mama....don't go..."

"I have to, cariño. I have to take care of Riley."
"Can you bring her to me?"
"When I'm finished with her post nap routine." Night smiled, walking out of the room. Hunter curled his knees to his chest as he lay sobbing. Ten minutes later, Night walked in with Riley, the teenaged boy immediately snatched her from his mother, sobbing as he held her close. "Huhdew.." she said softly, confused as to why her big brother was sad. The little one didn't know much, but she knew that flapjack loved to pull on his hair strand to get his attention. Riley yanked at Hunter's forelock bang, causing him to smile.
Maybe Flapjack *was* still here
"Hey there, lil rascal.." Hunter gently hugged Riley, pressing his forehead against hers, hot tears coating his cheeks. Riley hugged him back, making soft babbles.

"It hurts mama.." Hunter whispered, a hand to his chest.
Night laid down next to Hunter, scooting him closer. "I know honey, I know.."
Riley cooed, crawling on her mother's chest.
"I was a coward! I froze and I-"
Night shushed Hunter, holding him tight.
"It's not your fault, honey. Philip knew the moment you saw him, you'd freeze and feel powerless. He took advantage of your fears....it's what he does."

Hunter just cried in her arms, Riley still on Night's chest. The little girl gripped his hand to try and comfort him.

Hunter was forever changed, more determined than ever to end Philip and his reign of terror over the town. He may be going to jail, but Hunter knew that wouldn't stop the man from trying to hurt him and his family.

"I will get you, Belos...for Flapjack." He whispered to himself, hand to his heart as he did so.

The boy wasn't going to go down easily, and Flapjack's demise had been the last straw.

The Golden Guard has come out, and he'll leave a trail of Philip's innards the moment he's finished with him

He was determined to make Flapjack and his uncle Caleb proud.

Even if it meant killing that monster