The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 85

The wildfire dying in her eyes, the Pomeranian's ears flattened against her head in shame as she watched Tiberius 'cry' in front of her. The frown on her face disappearing, she attempted to calm him down, "Oh, don't... there's no need to cry. I'm sorry I yelled at you before." Looking over at the small dog, the old red tailed hawk lifted his right foot. Still playing his act, he pleaded, "Please take off the chain." Stretching towards the fluffy white Pomeranian as far as the chain would allow him, he added on, "This time I'll help you. I promise!" His heart broke a little at those words. He hated breaking promises but he was willing to do anything to get a snack.

Silently looking up at the hawk standing before her after glancing at his chain, the Pomeranian turned her gaze away from Tiberius as she murmured, "Tiberius... this is going to sound... completely horrible but um... I don't fully trust you." Gazing down upon her with true sadness glistening in his light brown eyes at those words, the red tailed hawk cried even more fake tears. However, there were a few that were real ones. Who could blame him? Nobody trusted a hawk like him these days, or any day for that matter. Taking small steps towards the crying bird of prey, the Pomeranian quickly tried to soften her previous statement, "Oh no no but... I guess everyone deserves a second chance. And you are just a lonely old bird and you do have weird manners because you live in a weird shed on a roof."

Listening to what she said to him while wiping some tears away with his right wing, Tiberius couldn't help but nod his head quietly because the Pomeranian's words rang with truth. The shed was a little weird since it was built in a crudely fashion. However, he didn't like the idea of being called old. It really made him feel his age when someone else said something about it. Meanwhile, the fluffy white Pomeranian was still talking to the red tailed hawk, "So I'll tell you what. If you find Max..." She paused, trying to think of what to say. Tiberius, in the meantime, was celebrating on the inside since his mission was almost complete and he would be able to eat her. The Pomeranian surprised him though when her face brightened up and she suddenly jumped up and exclaimed, "I'll be your best friend!"

His eyes widening in shock, Tiberius lifted his head up as he gazed down at the Pomeranian in front of him. She wore a big smile on her face and her fluffy tail would not stop wagging. He could tell that she wasn't joking, she meant every word. Speechless at first as he watched her spin around in a circle, the hawk mumbled, "Best... friend? You and me?" He didn't know what to feel at the moment. Happy? Shocked? Scared maybe? Gazing off into the distance, he entered a daydream. He imagined them flying around New York City above its many skyscrapers and chasing down squirrels in Central Park. The last thing he heard from his little dream was a squirrel screaming in terror. Smiling happily, Tiberius looked back down at the Pomeranian, who appeared to be trying to figure out what he had been wondering about. Clearing his throat, Tiberius replied, "Yes, that sounds nice." Lifting his chained foot, he added, "Let's do this."

"Okay!" the Pomeranian yipped. Reaching forward, she used her teeth and unclasped the chain from Tiberius's right foot. Gazing down at it as he moved his talons one by one, the hawk felt free. Lifting his gaze towards the small dog in front of him, he shakingly reached out towards her with his talons outstretched and his eyes growing wide. The dog shrunk back a little, a worried look on her face. Quickly noticing what he was doing, the hawk pulled his foot back and averted his gaze, closing his eyes briefly. Flying over to the metal exhaust and landing on it, he looked back at the Pomeranian and asked, "So what does this Max look like?"

"Brown and white. He's a shorthair. Roguishly handsome. He's got a sparkle in his eye..." the fluffy white Pomeranian described Max. She batted her sky blue eyes at the last part. Realizing that she was in love with whoever this Max was, Tiberius decided to have a little fun as he remarked teasingly, "He sounds dreamy..." Biting her lip as she smiled, the Pomeranian replied, "You have no idea..." Her eyes widening when she noticed what happened, she rapidly exclaimed, "I mean, what?! Whatever, shut up!" Scoring one point for himself, Tiberius was laughing on the inside before he opened his wings and took off a little roughly.

Flying away from the apartment building, Tiberius suddenly remembered Alfred. Though he said that he would be back later, he didn't say when exactly. The old man would be worried sick if he found out that he was gone. Peering over his shoulder, the red tailed hawk called back, "If my owner comes, put on the hood and pretend to be me!" He knew Alfred would never fall for something like that but it was all he could come up with him. Behind him, the red tail heard the small dog reply back, "Okay, thank you!"

Breathing in the fresh air, Tiberius soared on the wind as he searched the streets of Manhattan. He figured that it wouldn't take long to find this Max. About five to seven minutes tops.