Heaven sent or by a stroke of pure luck, Phoenyx and Chicken Man had found an old shack on the edge of the city where they decided to hide for the day. It looked...rustic to say the least. It looked as though it hadn't been used in decades, and was scarcely more than a small garden shed in the field.
Out the window, the downtown portion still loomed not but a few miles ahead. Between them and their destination lay a vast field of tall, golden grass. The sunlight cascaded beautifully off the stalks.
The sounds of civilization were drawing closer. The noise from the traffic, the pounding of a jackhammer, even the roar of a passenger jet or two. Phoenyx cringed at the thought of getting on that last one.
While Phoenyx could continue without stopping, he saw that Chicken Man was beginning to run out of steam. It wouldn't be long until he was fast asleep.
For the best, really. He needed the rest. They both did, actually, and not just because of the trek; there was always the fear that they would end up being discovered or worse...that they had been followed.
"Phoenyx? We're almost there, right?" Chicken Man yawned as he pulled out his sleeping bag. "I like camping and all, but I could really use a real bed again."
Phoenyx, who had been staring out the window into the distance, turned to face his friend. He smiled to the best of his ability.
"I know, Chicken Man. I'd like that, too."
"I call top bunk this time!" Chicken Man shouted suddenly with a big grin on his face.
"Whatever you say, buddy." He chuckled a little. "So what should we do first when we get to town?" He asked, trying to keep the conversation light.
"Ummmm...." Chicken Man scratched his head for a moment. "How about we see if we can get into Denny's? My pancake supply is dwindling."
"Umm...well, not anymore. It ran out when I stopped to feed those ducks, remember? They were hungry too."
"You're a weird one, Chicken Man." Phoenyx sat down in the corner of shack and stretched out.
"And you're a weird...bird...guy, Phoenyx!" Chicken Man rolls over on the other side of the shed. "But that's OK...I like weird."
Phoenyx smiled on the inside. No matter how bad things got (and they had gotten pretty bad at times), he knew that his best friend would always be able to say something to cheer him up. Between that and the strange emotional/metaphysical bond they seemed to share, it was never a dull moment.
Chicken Man yawned. "Hey, Phoenyx? Thanks."
"Hm? What for?" Phoenyx responded curiously.
"...For sticking by me through all this. And for not turning me in to the bad guys when you could have."
True, Phoenyx had been given the opportunity to look the other way while they captured Chicken Man. But that offer lasted about as long as it took for Phoenyx to rip the man's tongue from his head. Chicken Man hadn't seen that part, of course.
There was no way he would ever abandon him. No way he could ever betray him. He loved him like a little brother.
"Don't mention it, Chicken Man. I've got your back. You know I do."
Chicken Man thought for a moment. "I know. But it's nice to hear it. You're my best friend! I love you, Phoenyx!" Chicken Man said to his adoptive older brother.
Phoenyx chuckled and said, "Don't push your luck, kid."
Chicken Man awoke in a daze. Where was he? This wasn't home. He had no idea where he was or how he'd gotten there. But there were lights in the distance.
"Preeeeeetty....." He stumbled towards them like a child learning to walk.
And with that, he was gone...