It appears that even after all this time they haven't found my secret hideout.

I sit alone in that corner I found long ago with a blanket around me as I think about how little I knew about Pearl's death. All I let xB tell me was that she was dead. Not that Hotguy did it. Not that it was Scar. 

I brush away tears, despite knowing how futile it is. Mumbo's dead now I've just found out my only friend left killed my old best friend. No. It was Hotguy. Scar didn't want to kill people. But still... 

'Hey.' A familiar cat enters, followed by Scar. I give a small smile, but don't speak, watching him sit down next to me. We don't speak for a while, unable to find the words, until he does.

'It was my last quest.' I glance over as Scar speaks. 'Where I realised Ren didn't care about me.'

'What happened?'

He explains. I sit in horrified silence as he explains getting caught, injured, and trapped in the dark. How Cub saved him...

'Apparently Impulse sent a message to Ren saying 'we've got Hotguy.' and he didn't want to risk hurting anyone else getting me back. Or he realised I was useless to him. Cub ran away to help me... And then after a week or so trying to recover, Ren came in with a crossbow, gave it to Cub and asked 'do you want revenge?' like nothing happened and I wasn't stuck with a bad fever and worse injuries. The only reason Cub didn't shoot Ren there was because there was no way I'd make it out the castle...'

'Who... hurt you?' I ask, one hand on Scar's shoulder and the other clenched at my side. I instantly recognise the description, eyes widening with disbelief.

'Skizz... did that?' A nod. 'He was always really kind and rational. He was the one that stopped Impulse going too far.'

'He really regretted it.' Another voice quietly replies. I jump as Gem appears, sitting down across the area from us,

'What?'

'He was furious after Pearl died... we all were. Everyone loved her.'

'That's why Ren wanted me to do it.'

'But we all know Skizz went too far. Especially himself.'

'And then Ren didn't even bother to help...' I glare at the ground.

'What's the point of an archer who can't shoot?' Scar laughs hollowly. I put an arm around his shoulder. No one speaks for a bit, but then he continues 'We escaped as soon as I could walk. My arm was still hurt but... we stuck together and found a new home.'

I frown.

'I thought you two split apart after leaving the court.'

'We separated later.' It's all he says.

'And now...' Gem sighs. 'We saw the execution and thought of you. Impy hoped you were dead. When Ren announced that you weren't...'

'BigB caught us. He realised who Scar was and... and then Ren sent people to find us. Except we'd gone to walk around and figure out what to do. By the time we'd got back, they'd come, searched through everything, and killed our friend Mumbo.'

'He was innocent.' Adds Scar, blinking back tears. 'And Ren killed him.'

'He needs to die. For that and... Pearl... and everything else. You two should be safe here. I'll convince Impulse to let you stay.'

'Even after... what I did?'

'After what I overheard, I don't believe you chose to do it. And you know what we can do if you're not on our side.'

It's then I realise how much the little things about Scar are piecing together. How he'll never sleep in the dark and why Jellie's always there if he has to. Why he never mentioned his past, where the namesake scars came from... He probably has even more right to hate Ren than Impulse after everything.

'Where's Skizz?' I suddenly wonder

Gem doesn't answer, standing.

'He's... it's complicated. I'll get Impulse to let you stay. For now you should make yourself useful... he'll be more inclined to accept if you're helping.'

I nod, helping Scar to his feet as Gem walks off.

'You alright?'

'What happened to her legs? Why is she a... deer cyborg?'

'Failed explosion mission. And they look cool. Come on. We should do what Gem said.'

He follows me back into the main area. I look around for something to do and spot Tango and Jimmy sorting boxes, running over.

'Hey!' I call. They look over. Tango's eyes narrow.

'You're still here.'

'Gem decided we could stay.' Scar explains. 'Can we help over here?'

'No... we're fine.' The cold tone of Tango's voice doesn't fade. 

'I'm sorry for killing Pearl. Ren made me do it... he made me do all of it. Even though I never wanted to.' I put a hand on Scar's shoulder.

'He's not to blame.'

'He killed Pearl! Of course he's to blame.'

'Gem trusts him.'

'Gem trusts everyone. She's the only one who still does.'

'What happened?'

'Why would we tell you?' Tango spits. Jimmy tries to comfort him.

'Tango, it's alright. I trust him.'

'Why? Because he came here all innocent, making up some crap about his friend dying, and that he actually cares...'

'Ren sent me a death sentence, killed 2 of my best friends, and took everything I ever cared about except Jellie, Grian, and a small box of stuff I can't even do anything with. Why would I be on his side?' Everyone looks over at Scar's outburst. 'Why would I want to do anything except kill him?'

'Scar, it's ok.' He starts to sob, sinking to the ground. I hug him as he sits there, crying. Jellie joins in, giving a comforting meow. And then a moment later Big Man Norman and a third cat I haven't seen before join. A pause, then Jimmy sits down next to Scar.

'It's ok. I trust you.'

Tango's the only one that doesn't move. I look up to see him fighting tears, before walking away.

'He'll come around. We've all been shaken by... events.'

I don't question.

'What made you... change your mind?'

'Norman and Flick trust him, so I do... it's alright, Scar. If Impulse puts it down to a vote, I'll vote in your favour.'

'You're...?'

'Sheriff. Got promoted for good work. And... the space was free.'

Unease still growing, I remember who used to be sheriff. Skizz. Something happened to him.

'What happened to Skizz? Gem didn't answer... and you've now got his position.'

Jimmy grows serious, looking down at Norman as though he might answer instead. But he sighs and says simply:

'Ren caught him.'