Page 9 of Ash

The sigh echoing in Ash's ears made him feel horrible.

His bear was the other side of himself.

And all he was asking for was a trip to town.

Ash felt sick to his stomach.

I... I'm sorry.

His bear suffused him with a wave of emotion and affection that Ash wasn't sure he deserved.

You will always have my love.

Even when I don't deserve it.

Ash felt the smile from his lumberous bear and managed to scrape one up of his own.

Tomorrow.Ash hoped that his bear would be happy with that.I need to gather my courage.

His bear chuffed at that. You don't need courage, human. You have plenty of that. You need to find the will to reach out to others and continue to hope.

Hope?

Yes,he answered back.Hope. You’ll never find a mate if you stay up here on this mountain.

The mountain was fine for my parents, he argued back in his own head.

Then it’s going to be the two of us driving each other mad up here. All by our lonesome.

Ash pushed away from the wall and stood up to stare out the window toward the path leading into town.You’re bad enough when you get drunk on fermented apples, he hissed at his bear.

You should know. After all you’re just as drunk as I am when I’ve had my share.

Shut your mouth.

His bear chuffed at his bitter words.

I don’t speak with my mouth, Ash. Remember, it’s going to be the two of us for an age and then some.

Ash marched toward the front door and swung it open, almost yanking it off of its hinges. He stepped outside and kept going until he felt the sun on his face.

Smiling, he snarled back at his bear through their link.Keep your thoughts to yourself, old bear.

He put one foot in front of the other and again and again until he heard his bear chuffing through their link.

What’s so funny?

You.He felt his bear turn as if he was curling up to sleep.I’ll explain it later.

"Yes." Ash grumbled under his breath. "Yes, you will."

Chapter

Three

Traveling by bus seemed like a great idea. Sitting back, relaxing. Watching the whole world go by her window.

That was the thought.

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