4th and Shade Chapter Ten: Morale of The Story
Some time had passed. With the help of Vee and Bigby, the depot was put into a stable enough condition for work. Vee found herself somehow being drawn to Bigby. Bigby entered her thoughts. She didn't understand why she missed a stranger she had been working with.
Bigby sat on top of one of the buildings. Her hands and ankles were coated in mud. They had finished another round of clearing. Vee watched her from down below. Bigby noticed and patted a spot by her.
Vee went up to join her. Bigby offered a small cup of soup to her. Vee felt her stomach howl at the smell of food. She couldn't remember the last time she was able to eat. She took it. She smelled at it for a minute figuring out if it was safe enough to eat.
"Cautious much?" teased Bigby.
"Have to be. Considering what happened to me when I was younger. I also have three kids to look out for." Vee slowly drank her soup.
"You also look like you haven't been caring for yourself either." observed Bigby.
"We've been on the road a lot. We try to stay away from other cities."
"You one of them war refugees?" questioned Bigby.
Vee had a guarded look on her face. She looked away. Bigby tilted her head. "You are. Aren't you?"
"I don't go around broadcasting that lightly but yes. Me and my son, Wilson both are." Vee looked down at the cup she had in her hands.
"Do you want to talk about it?"
That question had weight behind it. A curious poke at the bleeding scar on Vee's heart. She felt it throb. "I came from a small village. We were a proud village of lowbourne seraphims."
We see a rather small Vee. She has dark skin and curly black hair. Four tiny wings hang from her backside. A white haired girl who appeared to be much older than her was chasing her. The two began laughing and giggling as Vee was chased through the streets of the village by her sister.
"Life for us was normal. It was happy even. Until one day, both sides of the feud ended up around us. Our village was a casualty as the soldiers fought. Our village began burning."
Fire danced in the dark skies. The ground rained down upon the helpless folks as explosives struck. Vee watched as somebody went past her. They were on fire and crying out in pain. Tears welled up in Vee's eyes. She began running. She ran toward the safety of the house her family was in.
The house next to the one she lived in, suddenly exploded as a ball of flame smashed into it. Vee shrieked as sharp wooden splinters rained on her. A pair of arms pulled her into their home. Her mother clutched onto Vee.
"We were grabbing what we could. We nearly got out then he showed up." whispered Vee. "Arthus. My mom had my sister and I run out the backdoor. We began fleeing."
Her hold on the cup grew tight. "We would of been home free until Arthus captured the both of us."
"What did he do to you?" asked Bigby gently.
Vee held up her arm. She willed the nightmare to appear. Bigby gasped as Vee's arm became made of dark mist and stars. Her fingers became razor sharp claws. Her arm then went back to normal.
"He turned you into one of those monsters."
"He did. I fled when he had his back turned and the rest is history. Just broken history that I'm trying to get away from." sighed Vee.
Vee put the cup off to the side. She looked at her hands. "I don't know why I still breathe. If I didn't have the kids, I would be more content to just-"
"You have gone through a lot. You seem to have a handle on everything." Bigby scooted closer to her.
Vee scoffed. "You are only saying that cause you are trying to be nice."
"You want to hear a secret of mine?"
"I suppose since we are swapping stories."
Vee glanced up at her. She watched as Bigby shook her head. Dark blue feathers began sprouting out of her skin. The tips of her feathers crackled with lightning. She took on a more bird-like appearance. Bigby then changed back.
"What are you? I don't believe I've seen your kind before."
"I am what is known as a Thunderbird. You don't get to see my kind much. I'm one of four that still exist." replied Bigby. "I carry a monster within my skin too. I've learned you can either learn to work with it or allow it to consume you." Bigby took her hand. "I can help you with feeling more comfy with what you are."
Vee felt a rush of warmth in her chest. Bigby's skin brushed hers. Vee blushed. She pulled her hand close to her chest. Bigby smiled. "Aw. Is someone shy?"
"I-I" Vee exhaled. "Sorry I shouldn't of..."
Bigby got closer to her. "It's just hand holding. There's nothing wrong with that." Her voice had a soothing edge to it.
"I've never been close to anyone. Not since my change. I fear I am too much of a monster."
"I don't think you are a monster." Bigby gave her a small smile.
"You don't know how much blood Ive spilled." countered Vee.
"I don't think you would on purpose. You have to have faith. A monster wouldn't be making sure that three chuggers under her charge stay alive." pointed Bigby.
Bigby put an arm around her gently. "How about you and I go out one night, hm? Just you and me."
"Um. Okay. My kids will be safe with me gone?"
"I'm sure they will be." Bigby stands up. "Meet me at the Eastern Tunnel at seven at night. I promise you'll have a good time. See ya, Vee."
Vee returned to the repair shed that night. She could see light flickering in the blanket fort. The kids had fallen asleep to something on the laptop. Vee smiled to herself. She let her illusion fall. She carefully closed the lid of the laptop. She put it somewhere safe before taking a spot on the floor.
Her head rested on the wall. She allowed herself to go to sleep.
A lumbering shadow stayed hidden near the edge of the forest. The sound of a diesel engine grew closer. A bright pair of headlights disturbed the night sky. Arvor showed up.
His gaze landed on Arthus who stood in the dark. "You rang?" asked Arvor.
"Yes. It is time to cash in a favor. I have grown tired of waiting. I need you to bring me both the fox and his nightmare refugee." instructed Arthus.
"I know where to look then. Rumor has it they are in Chuggington. They shouldn't be too hard to smell out. Provided the bait I have in my possession works." sneered Arvor.
"I don't care what you have to do. See to it that it gets finished."
The next day came. Vee heard the kids talking excitedly next to her. Vee sniffed waking up. She stretched on all fours before sitting. Her tired eyes looked up at the youngsters.
She still felt kind of tired. She rose to her feet. "Mom?" came Wilson's voice.
"Can the three of us go play in the park? We've been stuck inside for so long." begged Wilson.
She nods. As long as you lot stick together. Stay out of trouble and remember, don't draw too much attention.
The three juveniles took off at high speed. Vee sighed. She was about to clean up inside of the tent until a large shadow loomed behind her. Vee whipped around. She saw Bigby standing near the opening. "Hey. You busy?"
Vee shook her head. No. I'm not busy.
"You want to head out into the town? Might do you some good to stretch your legs." commented Bigby.
Vee follows her to the Inner City. Tall metal walls keep the city surrounded. The grey sky shined off the edge of it. The gate slowly opened. The ambience of a rather busy city greeted Vee.
A field of neon light and sound sprawled before her. She had a bit of whip lash as she stood in place. She had never once ventured into a city.
Bigby took her claws. They then entered the city together.
Wilson chased his friends around. They were playing a game of tag. It felt good to let some of the energy go. Wilson spotted something out the corner of his eye.
A tall shadow appeared to be watching the trio. They then began turning tail. A flash of red caught his attention. Wilson's curiosity got the better of him. He began following them.
The figure kept running. Wilson picked up the pace. He called after them. The figure ended up in a dead end. Wilson cornered them. He gasped. They were red like him. They appeared to be a young adult chugger. Their green eyes locked with his.
"Who are you?" asked Wilson.
"That's an interesting question, young prince." sneered a deeper voice.
Wilson turned around. Arvor had them both cornered. Wilson let out a low snarl. Arvor kept getting closer and closer. A wicked grin was plastered on his face.
"You think you stand a chance against me, Little Prince. You will find that your fangs will not be effective."
"Just let us go, we will be on our way." growled Wilson.
"And where would that lead you, Zuna." Challenged Arvor. "You are outnumbered two to one. You won't win this fight."
Wilson felt something slam into him from behind. He hit the ground harshly. The red female that had lured Wilson to the alley, loomed over top of him.
Wilson got low. He changed quickly. He turned on Arvor. His fangs bounced off Arvor's heavy hide. Wilson staggered backwards. He gave his head a quick shake.
Wilson launched himself at the foe in front of him. The three of them began to clash. Arvor swung his blade. It gored Wilson's chest. Wilson yelped in pain. The other fox tore into his shoulder. Wilson shrieked again.
A shape came barreling towards Arvor. "ARVOR!" bellowed Brewster. Pure rage ran through his body. He flung his whole body at Arvor. Arvor spun around quickly. His blade plunged into Brewster's underside. The tip of the blade went through his back. Brewster grunted. Oily blue liquid dripped from his wound.
A change occurred within Wilson. He watched as Brewster collapsed. Arvor grinned. He went for the kill blow.
Heat rose between Wilson's pelt. His tails caught fire. Fire sparked out of Wilson's maw. He hurled them at Arvor's blade. The blade turned to goop from the blast.
Arvor hissed angrily. "You little punk!" He rushed him. Wilson dodged out of the way. He was much faster now.
The beast had pulled free. Wilson's tails whipped around. He slashed them at Arvor. Arvor roared as the flames burned along his side melting his hide a bit.
Wilson went for him again. Arvor shoved himself into Wilson causing his head to go sideways. Wilson then fell. He tried to get up again. Arvor slammed into him. Wilson went flying. He then skated across the ground.
He eyed Wilson. "We'll let this go, little prince. Know this. You will never find peace."
The figures then vanished. Wilson's rage wore out. He ran over to his friend. He whined weakly at him. Brewster's eyes fluttered open. Wilson gave him a pleading look. Brewster went to open his jaws.
Wilson whined. Hang in there. I'll get help.
