Winter Rose

XXIV. Reunited

The day pressed on. I sprawled out on Winter's woven rug, watching her as she laid on her bed, staring up at the ceiling. The mid-morning sun traveled through the window and lit up the room, casting a fake cheerfulness with it. There was nothing cheerful about Winter or me.

It was a bit comical, in a dark way. There we were, two totally separate beings, a dog and a human, both struggling with the fact that Sheldon was a murderer. My thoughts grew heavier as I remembered how easily he'd overpowered me. I was a fool to think that I could protect Winter. Sheldon could come in her room at anytime and all I could do was cower in a corner.

A sudden knock on the door sent me to my feet, my heart jerking in my chest. I cursed myself for even thinking that last thought, as if somehow I'd willed it to happen.

"Who is it?" Winter muttered, obviously less frightened than me.

"It's Lance. Open the door. I've got a surprise for you!"

My ears turned forward suspiciously. I was not a big fan of surprises, especially in our current predicament. Winter swung her legs off her bed, sighing as she stepped past me to the door. She grabbed the handle and opened it half-way—a pair of blue eyes centered on mine.

Winnie! I nearly somersaulted to the door, tripping over my own feet, my tongue dangling out of my mouth as I burst with pure joy. Oh god, Winnie! You don't know how happy I am to see you!

Her eyes gleamed back at mine, happiness reflected in them. I see you've done well protecting her, Pickle.

She took a step forward through the doorway, her body looking frail and weak. Our noses touched.

"She's okay?" Winter beamed down at Winnie, the sadness momentarily wiped from her face. "They're so happy to see each other! Look at that!"

Lance smiled at her. He leaned against the doorway, watching the two of us. "The Veterinary Hospital called us an hour ago to tell us she was ready to come home," he said."They'd tried calling Dawson but couldn't get a hold of him." He laughed. " The old man's probably out on a boat fishing right now."

Winter's brow wrinkled for a moment. "He was supposed to be taking care of a sparrow for me. In fact—I kind of expected to hear from him this morning."

Bastion's been hurt?  Winnie searched my eyes.

I nodded. A broken wing—nothing more.

"I'll ask Dad to get a hold of him," Lance said. His eyes rested on the two of us and he cleared his throat. "These two have always been really close, haven't they?"

"Yes." Winter said smiling. It faded slightly as if a thought suddenly crossed her mind.

"What?" asked Lance.

Winter shook her head and looked down.

"Winter." Lance said, waiting for her to look at him. "Do you remember when I said that a lot the of the animals around here were acting strange? Everybody just kinda laughed and brushed it off, but I was serious." He rubbed his neck. " I guess what I'm trying to say is—I know you, Winter. You don't lie, you don't make things up. I know you and Sheldon were close." He shifted uncomfortably in the doorway. "I believe you. Yeah, the whole thing sounds crazy, but I believe you. If you say the dog told you, then the dog told you."

Winter sprang forward and threw her arms around him. Her tears were soon muffled on his chest. He stood there, surprised at first by her reaction, then gradually wrapped his arms around her, a little awkwardly.

"Thank–you." She breathed into his shirt.

You talked to her? Winnie gave me a confused look.