Northern Downpour

Final

You felt lighter the next day. Not completely okay; you weren't sure if you ever would be. But better. You supposed that was all you could hope for right now.

The line for the Business Office was longer than usual. You avoided the dirty looks some threw your way as you went to the elevator. Flycatcher had forgotten his keys, and you were bringing them down to him.

You slipped the key ring around your finger and twirled them around as you waited. He was taking Toad and TJ to the Farm today. You couldn't help but feel bad, even though there was nothing you could do.

The elevator doors opened. You gave Bigby a small smile and stepped in. You pressed the button for the lobby, and the doors closed again.

"Flycatcher forget his keys again?" He asked.

"Yup."

The doors opened, and the two of you stepped out into the lobby. You could see the orange truck parked outside. The sky was gloomy, and thunder rumbled as you went outside.

"Hey Flycatcher," you called.

Flycatcher came around the truck. You tossed him the keys.

"Oh, thank you," he said. "It's been, uh, pretty busy around here."

Toad came around and shoved a suitcase into the trunk. "Mornin'. Nice fuckin' day."

"Sorry about all this," Bigby apologized. "I tried to help."

"Just why the hell did she have to send me and me boy away, huh?" Toad demanded, climbing up into the trunk. "You promised me I'd get another chance, but she says I have to go anyway!"

TJ, already in the trunk, looked at you and held out a small box. "Can you give this to Miss White, please? Dad says there's no time to say goodbye, so, if you can bring it to her. She was nice."

You took the box.

"I couldn't take them all with me, and she said she liked this one the best."

You opened the lid. A blue bug was laying inside, with a note scrawled on the inside of the lid: to Miss White, from TJ.

"It's a willow beetle," TJ said.

"I'm sure she'll love it," you replied, closing the lid and putting it in your pocket.

"We're about to head out," Flycatcher said.

"What's it like at the Farm?" TJ asked. "I heard ogres live there, and they eat people in their sleep sometimes."

"God, I hope not," Toad muttered.

"Do we have to go? I wanna stay here."

"It's a lot safer there," you said. "Plenty of space to run around and go swimming, and you won't have to worry about mundies seeing you."

"Have you ever been there, Blue?" TJ asked.

You nodded. "Yeah. It's real nice."

"We're all set," Flycatcher said.

"Bye," TJ said.

"Bye, TJ," you replied.

You and Bigby stepped back so the truck could pull away.

"Hey, Bigby," Toad called. "Where's your friend, Colin?"

"How should I know?" Bigby asked.

The truck drove off before Toad could retort. Rain started coming down. It felt nice.

"Saying goodbye?"

You looked across the street to see Nerissa. She was standing on the sidewalk with an umbrella and a duffel bag. You and Bigby crossed the street, and the three of you went under an awning behind her.