Strength in numbers

Ricin sees the frown that tugs Manea’s lips downward and he tries to fight the rising feelings of failure. When he asks her permission to share something, a purple paw reaches up to brush the tears from his cheek. The touch is gentle, loving, motherly and the lighter pup finds himself leaning in toward it even as the paw retreats. Her reassuring voice has more tears spilling and Ricin turns his eyes toward Chade’s sleeping form. With a soft, slightly fear filled voice, Ricin explains, “After dad died… mom kicked us all out. We tried to survive, all five of us, but as the others to died… Chade and I grew… closer.” How can he explain just how important that was? How can explain how much it meant that, in their unstable, shifting world, Chade had never left him behind.

Turning his gaze back to Manea, Ricin continues, his tone almost pleading as he begs her to understand, “You… you have know that… my mother hated me most of all. In her eyes, I was the weakest, stupidest, most useless of the litter. But… but Chade didn’t see that.” Shaking his head sadly, trying to dislodge the tears that wet his fur, the light pup continues, “He… just… he saw me. When the others would gather and play, he always made sure that they invited me. I… I never felt alone as long as Chade was there.” Now came the difficult part. Hesitantly, Ricin whispers, “It was just him, me, and our last sister. We were running from a bear. Chade was ahead and I was next and we were running. Then I…”

His voice falters, dropping a moment before looking straight into Manea’s eyes and whispering, “I fell. A tree root tripped me. I should have died right there. But Chade dropped back, knocked our sister down while I recovered and run. My sister died so I could live.” The guilt spills down his cheeks and Ricin turns his head away from Manea, trying to hide his face. After a moment, Ricin adds, “I shouldn’t be here. I worry that Chade made the wrong choice and… that I will get him killed.” Silence falls as Ricin tries to stifle the sobs that collect in his throat. With the truth out, Ricin waits for a purple paw to strike him, to call him weak and useless. It is the least he deserves.


"Speech"