“Get … in there!” Ruddy shoved the last box, trying to squeeze it into the truck.

  “You’re going to break something,” Xeke said. “We need to take it all out and start over. It’ll fit if we actually use some kind of planning in the first place.”

  “But we’re done!” Ruddy said. “I don’t want to pack it all again. Oh, hi George.”

  George nodded to them. Ruddy had never seen him up at sunrise before; he looked half asleep.

  “Hey, man,” George said. “Hate to see you go so soon.”

  “We have people waiting for us in California,” Xeke said. “They’re probably worried sick about us already. We need to get back on the road.”

  “Mayor Wiley … he’s really trusting you guys,” George said. “If anybody finds out we’re here …”

  Xeke met his eyes. “We all live with that every day, no matter where we are. We won’t say a word.”

  Ruddy shoved the box again. Something gave, and it slid in with a crunch. “See?” he said. “We didn’t have to unpack.”

  “Yeah, and we’re going to be eating crumbled cookies and smashed bread for the next week,” Xeke said.

  George glanced into the back of the truck. “You need anything else, man? The mayor said to set you up with whatever you want.”

  “We’re good,” Xeke said. “You’ve done more than enough. Let the mayor know we appreciate everything.”

  Corey came out of the cottage, moving like he’d just finished a marathon. He looked ten years older than he had the day before. “Good morning, George. Here to see us off?”

  George grinned. “Mayor Wiley wanted me to check in on you guys one last time.”

  “I see.” Corey leaned against the truck. “Look, George. We’ve got room for one more if you want to come.”

  Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

  Ruddy glanced at Xeke, who raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

  George laughed. “What?”

  “I don’t think you like the way things work around here anymore than we do. Why don’t you come with us? I have some friends who can help you find a job—or whatever.”

  “But that’s not … the mayor wouldn’t …”

  “Forget about him. I’m offering you a chance to start over.”

  George looked at him and took a step backwards. “I … I know you mean well, man. But I’ve been here for a while. I know it’s not perfect, but …”

  “Just wanted to let you know you have a choice.” Corey turned to Xeke and Ruddy. “Are we all packed?”

  Xeke’s eyes settled on the crushed box of food and he sighed. “Yeah. We’re ready.”

  “Let’s go.” Corey pulled himself into the truck.

  Ruddy tossed the keys to Xeke. “I didn’t much like what happened last time I drove,” he said.

  Xeke threw them right back. “You’ll be fine.”

  Xeke was staring out the window at clear skies when he saw the hawk. It was flying directly above the truck, paralleling their course. He watched it dance in the wind above them.

  Teri? he thought.

  Ruddy slowed the truck and craned his neck up to see out of the windshield. Corey didn’t stir from where he slept, wrapped up in a pile of blankets in the back seat.

  Remember when Teri took us flying that day? Xeke said.

  I remember.

  What if she was in a hawk when she died?

  Ruddy stopped the truck. Is that possible?

  You know she was always in other minds. What if she was in an animal? Or in all the animals?

  What are you saying? Ruddy said.

  Maybe she’s still here, in a way, watching over us.

  Ruddy sniffled. You really think so?

  I’m not saying she’s still alive, Xeke said. But what if a part of her stayed behind in the minds around her?

  In our minds, too? Ruddy said.

  Maybe, Xeke said. But she wasn’t really with us when she …

  But we’re still linked, Ruddy said. That has to mean something.

  Xeke turned back to watch the hawk. “Whether it’s her or not, she’ll always be with us. Our sister.”

  Ruddy started crying again. The hawk flew ahead of them and disappeared into the treeline.

  Xeke leaned his head back on the seat and closed his eyes. “I wonder what happened to the other Terry. I guess she died too, didn’t she?”

  “I guess so,” Ruddy said.

  “You know, I never really thought about her as alive before. But now that she’s gone, I …”

  “I think she was in love with you,” Ruddy blurted out.

  Xeke’s eyes popped open. “What? Why would you think that?”

  “Just the way she acted.” Ruddy wiped his eyes. “I talked to her a few times when you weren’t around, and it was always Xeke this and Xeke that. She said you were the wisest man she ever met.”

  “Hmph.” Xeke’s stomach twisted and he had to swallow back a knot in his throat. “I guess I showed her, huh?”

  Another regret, he thought. Damn.