The Boy and the Animal

Part I | Epilogue

Growing up, I always felt like I was on my own.

My father had killed himself. My brother was absent. My mother only looked at me and saw my father. My sister... She didn't need me. That was why I left. I left to find my own story, one that I could be proud of, but, I suppose, I really just wanted someone to love me.

And I found him.

Jesiter made my life whole, and I found myself able to love him. I taught him how to be human, and he taught me the same. When he came, I thought my life was over, but he helped me realize that it was always broken- and I needed him to help me fix it.

It was us against the world. We grew together, loved together. I married him, made him my wife and presented him to my mother. I'd never seen her cry so much in my life. When our first son was born, little Cyrus Wolf LaBane, she cried even harder.

Jesiter was a wonderful mother. He dedicated everything to our happy, bubbly son, and he taught him everything he knew about nature and eating with spoons and being happy. He showered him in love, and, when our twins were born, he had plenty to share with them.

Jesiter, our three young children, and I built a new inn in the city, and we moved my family in with us. I made sure my mother never had to worry about money again. Sara went to school to become a doctor, something that I made her work for by cleaning my tables. I had my family back, and I even had some new ones.

The emptiness that Cyrus left inside me never went away. There were many times, looking upon my growing children- all of whom had his smile- that I was reminded of what he was missing, what he was never able to have. But then, in the times when Jesiter would burn his eggs, or when a bird would perch on my window sill, I would remind myself that he was free.

Out there somewhere, my brother was with the only one he ever loved, carrying out Enicrih's commands and protecting my family from his curses. And I was here.

Cyrus's story was over. Now, it was time for me to write mine.

With Jesiter.