Scar pov:

I mute myself on Grians communicator instantly, not needing anyone to know.

"Please, just let him go, you can take me, but let him go." I say to the red eyed man.

"I've got a deal to make, and it's either you make it, or Grian dies. Permanently."

(Hermits can respawn if they die, but if killed brutally and by a hermit, they will perma die)

"What's the deal?" I ask, wanting to punch his hidden little face so bad. How could they threaten Grian?

"He dies, or he's freed, but you can't ever speak to him again." The man says in front of me.

"How long do I have to make a decision?" I ask, hoping I'll get a few days.

"Two minutes."

"Okay." I say, panicking.

Only two minutes? How could I save him in two minutes?

I can't.

I have to make a decision.

And it's pretty easy.

"Made your choice?" He says, with his stupid accent. Fuck maple leaves.

"Yes." I say, trying not to cry. This is for Grian, I don't matter anyways.

"I want to save Grian." I say and turn away, my eyes tearing up.

"Well then, you know what'll happen if we see you with him then, have a good day." He says and flies away.

I let my tears begin to roll down my face, sobbing.

This is for Grian.

I need to get home. Once Grian returns he can't see me. Me ghosting him completely is the best way to save him.

I fly away, my tears falling into the void far beneath me.

I've done this for a good cause.

I swear.

Grian will be safe now.

I get home and realise I've got Grians communicator still on call with Impulse.

"Hey Impulse!" I say, trying to seem casual, but my voice is too high to be anything but suspicious.

"What did you do?" He asks and my heart sinks a bit. He immediately thought I did something wrong.

"Someone found him, that's all, Grians safe now. Grian will be safe now." I say and Impulse seems confused, but ignores it.

"Are you okay?" He asks and I say no, hanging him up as soon as possible.

How could I get his communicator back without making it seem like I'm trying to talk to him?

I could talk to them, but they'd never listen.

I'll just have to keep it. Like a memento.

I set it on my shelf, standing out against my books and pictures, with its bright red cover and all the buttons.

I want to keep it on me, but they may find it. So I leave it there, buzzing like crazy from all the other Hermits publicly chatting.

I take a few deep breaths and decide to leave my house, sure Grian will be worried about me once he finds out I'm not at his house.

I go out into the forest around my wheat field and find a large tree to climb.

I find a nice resting spot where I can peek out over top the other trees and watch my house for my beloved bird boy.

I see his little red blob arrive at my house and disappear round the front of it. He seems to go in and I watch my house, confident he can't see me.

He pops back out and I wait for him to leave and he does.

I feel some more tears prick my eyes and I sniff a bit, but look the other way, needing to forget and move on.