For a long time, I didn't cry.

It didn't feel real.

I waited for him to stir.

His eyes had glazed over. 

His chest moved no more.

Reality hit.

I burst into tears, sobbing into his fur. How could I have been so stupid? It was all my fault he was... I couldn't bear to say the word. I got up slowly. The world was a blur as I walked over to Tala and lifted her cloak from her shoulders. I walked back over to Dad and lay the cloak over his body. I began to sob uncontrollably. "I love you, Dad. Please wake up, it's not funny-" I choked, able to continue.

I barely noticed that the cloak began to shimmer.

It shimmered in an unnatural way. I blamed my imagination, but it shimmered for so long I began to wonder if it really was just my imagination.

The shimmering stopped. I took the dagger that Tala had used to slay Dad, and threw it in the fire. I considered throwing Dad's body in as well, but I wouldn't have the strength.

My new sibling would grow up without his or her father. Mom would be shattered with grief. Phoenix and I would lose him before we ever truly grew up. I wiped the tears away, but they were replaced by more.

A gentle hand wiped each one away.

I didn't look at the person. The person's hand was calloused and strong, but gentle. I felt the person take me into their arms and hold me. "There's no need to cry, Dawn," said a soft, velvet voice. 

I froze.

I opened my eyes. A burnt-orange waistcoat. Tan, freckled skin. A scent that reminded me of a summer day. I allowed my eyes to travel up to his face.

A pair of eyes identical to my own stared down at me.

I choked. "Dad!" I threw my arms around his neck and buried my face into his chest. I was rewarded with the sound of a heartbeat.

Dad was alive.

Dad was human.