The mansion wasn't the first place Owen went for sanctuary. Far from. Everywhere he went, however, it seemed like pain followed him. Rats poked fun at his tail, how he was so clumsy and struggled to hold things, how he was always too cold or too hot. When he got to the mansion, he built his home in the sky, he dubbed himself the "biggest rat who made all the rules". He had to prove he was capable He had to.
But these rats were different. They asked questions, sure, but dropped them, even when it was clear his words weren't true. They wrapped themselves around him and brought him blankets, and they made sure to stop him from overheating by giving him small fans or ponds to cool off in. They built fences in the sky and stayed up there with him, they called him the "biggest rat who made all the rules", they gave him small things to hold and helped him carry the large without a word. They cared for him and he cared for them. Scott even gave him a metal flower instead of making fun of his.. fear? Hatred? Of the organics.
So when they ran, and everyone still cared for each other, all he could think about was his tail. He knew he would be first to die, so he tried offering his clothes and blankets to everyone he could, but nobody took them. They wrapped him up, reassuring him they could go on a little longer.
Every rat that fell before Owen felt like a stab to the heart. He knew he should've been the first to die. It was their kindness that kept him alive even in the mansion. Eventually, he felt himself warming up. They must be close to a fire now, he could feel the warmth. He shed his layers and handed them out, swearing he could go on without them, ignoring everyone's protests. He lay down in the snow and could practically feel it give way for the grass. He felt a rat press up against him, vaguely pushing him along, trying to wrap him up, holding his hand with its tail, but he didn't move. For the first time since losing his tail, Owen was warm.
Owen dragging them over towards the warmth, shivering worse and worse and yet refusing to stop no matter how much the other rats still up tried to stop him. He couldn't think enough to know if they were dead or not, he hoped not. He couldn't go on if they were.