Chapter 154 - 143 (1/2)

The air has come to life around us, shushing with strength and a sharp coolness boosted by the speed as it rushes at us, bringing all sorts of smells with it.

The ropes and metal parts that keep the structure we are on from falling into pieces clicked and clacked into each other, joining the wind as the cables move like flags in the breeze.

”Is our turn brother.” I say to Hunthor, making him stop playing with the hounds and come closer to take my place.

”Already? Oh, man, ok, I'm going.” He says as I stretch my paws in front of me and finally move from that place, only for my brother to sit there and immediately light his fur ablaze.

”And don't sleep in service this time.”

”Alright alright!”

All of that this is to keep filling the balloon on top of our heads with hot air, as if we are some kind of fuel, the kind of bargain you would expect Isaac to get I supposed, keep the thing afloat to get a ride, what does he think we are? I'm not surprised though…

But, well, I cannot complain much because, in the end, he found us a flying ship to use, a very practical and fast way of transport if you ignore that we are the ones filling the only thing keeping this wooden ship afloat and the fact that there are too many… poor renovations along the ship, wooden cracks, stitched cloths up above, and some missing railings then yeah, is a good exchange.

”Good job out there!” Says the captain of the one man ship as he pulls the rope that keeps the stretched out wings from closing on the sides, making rounds and testing that everything is just almost falling apart, emphasis on the almost not on the falling. ”Are you going back in?”

”Yeah, I am.”

”Don't tired yourself to death, we need you up there alright?”

”Yeah yeah.”

”Are you going to see him again?” Says Hunthor behind me, but I just give him a nod without turning as I advance over the lower parts of the ship, my claws rasping the wood, passing my companions that stay on top at the open area of the ship, going down only to sleep because of the claustrophobic small space this small ship has in its interior.

Plus is a unique opportunity to watch the clouds from above too.

Even if I was up to mock Isaac along the way and ask if he is doing fine while I knew that he hasn't left the railing since this thing started moving because of his sick stomach, once I get deep into the dark quiet place where we let him rest my face stiffens as I approach to sit beside him, resting my snout on his arm to watch him while he sleep.

Sleep… can it be considered that when he doesn't wake up?

I've been sitting like this for the past days, close enough to him and yet in an angle that I can watch his face while I try to sleep and end up doing so only from extreme tiredness, every night, every day, over and over again.

I did what I had to, I gave away everything, did everything right, so why aren't you waking up? Was I too late? I am now cursed to have you so close to me, and yet so far from reach?

Will you really leave me behind?

Leonel… please come back to me… don't be gone because of my stupid problems, don't be gone because of me.

By my own paw, by my own weak mind, weak heart.

Please come back… I miss you.

I don't want to say goodbye, I-I can't say it…

Is this my destiny? In the end, to be unable to save those I love, to be fated into losing one of you… Is not fair, it is not…

On that night, as many others before, with a foggy vision I end up falling into a restless sleep, and I knew I would wake as tired as I was before going to bed, sometimes even worse.

…

…But this night, it was different.

I woke up with the creaking of the wood surrounding us, and unsurprised by the lack of proper sleep I instinctively turned my gaze towards your sleeping face.

Only to notice in shock that your eyes are open, that you are awake.

Your hand on my fur, your touch on my ears.

Your warm gaze shining in the dim light.

My heart speeds up and I fight to keep the sobs at bay, but in the end with tearing eyes I jump up towards Leonel's face as I start brushing my cheek and licking him awake with enthusiasm while he starts chuckling.

”C-Calm down love, haha, I'm here, I'm alright, slow down a second, I'm not going anywhere, shhh, that right, I'm here, with you, shhh…” At some point he hugs me back as I start crying nonstop, all the sadness, all the happiness, everything medley into an incoherent mumbling of cries and sobs as I have no shame to show.