(And back again)

I woke up on the den floor to Jerome already up and moving. Mitch had yet to return, and the den was slightly crowded with Jade. Having two large baccas in the same den is very risky when it comes to space. Baccas stretch in their sleep, and are sensitive about personal space.

With two in the same den, it could spark a fight if they are not careful.

Jade was gone, probably stretching outside, and Jerome was just shambling about aimlessly. He was actually pacing, which is not good for a bacca.

"Jerome?"

He turned.

"Who is there?"

"Jerome, it is Jade. I- I wanted to thank you for saving me. I had lost my wild nature because I was too afraid of hurt, and lost you and Papa in the process. Papa died to the hunters, and all I had was you. I lost you, and felt so alone. My only thought was that they had ripped your life from me as well. I-"

"Jade. You have done not a thing incorrectly. Had you kept that wild side while imprisoned, you would have been killed as Papa had. You were smart to keep quiet and listen. You should feel no responsibility over me any longer. I should feel responsible of you, now that I am alpha."

"You took it? You really took it?"

Jerome nodded. He looked at me, then lowered his head.

"I was ripped form my wild side as well. When you and Papa were gone, a lava creeper- his mother- took me to the castle. I grew up a human, the enchantment over the castle too thick to ignore. I was forced to remain human, until a few years ago."

"What happened?"

"Preston here got in trouble with the King, and was punished to stay at the castle for a week. He figured out I was not human by my correct speech, and told me to leave the border of the enchantment. Mitch- the boy you met- he grew up with me at that castle. He is a runaway."

"A runaway? What is a runaway?"

I piped up. "A runaway is a human child who leaves home, or in simpler terms, runs away. They do not return to that home or family normally."

"Normally?"

"Mitchell has found family- the younger boy Kenneth- who has also run away. Kenneth and Mitchell are siblings as I understand."

"Why?"

"I do not know. It is for Mitch to tell if he wishes."

"Do you really wanna know?" A whisper from the den entrance.

We all turned, surprised. There stood against the dark, star-filled sky, was Mitch, with Kenneth behind him.

Jade sat down, and seemed intrigued to understand. So did Jerome. I laid down, and features for Mitch to continue.

"Prepare yourselves, because this isn't a real pretty story."