The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 66

"I wonder what I should name them..."

"You've been wondering this all day long-"

"I got it! If it's a girl, Aurora. If it's a boy-"

"You realize there's two of them, right? There's a chance you might end up with two girls."

"Then if it's two girls, Aurora and Denali. I don't know about the boys though. I have one good name."

"Oh really, what? You're gonna name one of them after somebody?"

"Actually... I was."

"I'm gonna guess their father the fleabag."

"Tempting but I'm not naming one of them after Rufus."

"And here I am thinking you worshiped the dirt bag."

"You should really stop with the name calling."

"Who you naming the kid after?"

"You."

"Me?!" Tiberius almost fell off the branch he was on when he heard that. Regaining his grip and digging his talons deep into the wood so there was no way he would fall off again, he gazed down at Rosa. His little sister didn't sound like she had been joking about that. She didn't look like it either. Clearing his throat, the red tail exclaimed, "You're gonna name one of your kids, if it happens to be a boy, after me? Why?!"

"Cuz you are my favorite person in the whole wide world. You're a brother and best friend wrapped up into one," Rosa replied with no hesitation, blinking her dark brown eyes innocently.

"Don't forget mentor. And hero. Seriously, how many times am I trying to save your life?"

"You better not push it. Next thing you're gonna say is that you're also a mother."

"Now you're the one who's pushing it."

"Sometimes you even sound like our parents."

"Can we go to sleep now? I'm getting tired and it's almost midnight."

"Alright. Goodnight Tiberius."

"Night Rosa."

The shed fell silent as the two hawks fell asleep.

Dreaming, Tiberius was perched on the branch of an oak tree. His light brown eyes were locked on to a furry little gray squirrel. The small rodent scurried about the area, searching for acorns. It was completely unaware of the danger that lurked high above its head. Silent as an owl and quick as a falcon, Tiberius swooped down, his talons outstretched. The squirrel screamed in terror as it turned and ran, frantically trying to escape the red tailed hawk that was coming closer and closer...

A loud crash woke both Tiberius and Rosa up. "What was that?!" Rosa cried, her tail fanned out in fright. Signaling for his little sister to stay quiet, Tiberius sniffed the air. Not getting any scent, he murmured, "Stay in here, I'll check it out." Nodding her head, Rosa curled herself around the two eggs beside her. Taking a deep breath, Tiberius hopped down from the branch he was on. Not even bothering with his chain, he quietly and boldly stepped outside of the shed.

Walking out as far as the chain allowed him, Tiberius was surprised that nothing had immediately happened the moment he had stepped out. Looking around, he saw an empty flowerpot had fallen off the bench that was up on the rooftop and shattered to pieces. The city was filled with the usual sounds and lights, though not as much as during the day. There was no night breeze, just an eerie stillness. But still no signs of life. Shrugging his shoulders, Tiberius was about to turn around and head back for the shed when something pounced on him. Letting out a shriek of alarm, the red tailed hawk's light brown eyes locked with the light green ones of a hairless cat.

"Finally, I shall gain his trust with your deaths!" the cat yowled before lunging forward to deliver the killing bite, his teeth gleaming in the city's lights...