only two more to go...
Chapter 7
“You’re leaving!?” Bea said shocked.
Spider nodded sadly.
“Yeah, I need ter get away and be on my own fer a bit.” he said, “It’s jus’ ter much…even with all of yer help.”
Bea sighed; she was afraid something like this was going to happen.
“It’s your choice Spider, we can’t force you to stay if you really don’t want to. We will miss you.”
“I will miss yer ter. All of yer mean a lot ter me and who knows how dangerous the next bounty hunters will be. I don’ want ter lose anymore friends and the best way ter protect yer from them is ter not be here.”
“I understand.” Bea said, “What will you do with your pack?”
"I have already told them that Tok will be the Alpha fer now on. They...took it hard..."
"We all are you had become an important member to the village. It will be hard to replace you."
"I know..."
"When will you be leaving?"
"Tomorrow at dusk."
“Then I’ll let you go, I’m sure you have final preparations to make, goodbyes to say…”
“That I der…That I der….”
Spider spent all of the following day saying his goodbyes. When Bea caught up with him that afternoon, she was surprised to see him without his pants.
"Spider...you're not taking your pants with you?" she asked.
"No...It would be difficult for me to maintain them out on my own, so I'm leaving them here. I told Ner he could der what ever he wants with 'em. Heh, he'll probably jus' put 'tm in a display case or somethin'." Spider said with a weak laugh.
"Probably." Bea managed a small smile.
Spider looked up toward the sun and noticed that it was starting to set.
"Well..." he said sadly, "I guess...this is it..."
"We will miss you Spider." Bea said as she embraced him.
"I will miss yer too..." He looked up to see a sizable group behind her, "all of yer. I will always remember yer. Thank yer fer all yer have done fer me..."
Spider took a couple of steps back, looking at his friends for the last time. Then...with tears in his eyes and a heavy heart, he turned and trotted away; disappearing in fading light, not looking back once...
|