Goodbye little guy

A quiet but sad squeek echoed through the empty woods. Bast had just packed her bags for her trip back to Owai-6 and she walked outside to get a last look at the healing Kiah jungle. Her ears twitched ‘anyone out there?’ She moved around her ears trying to locate the sound. 'Hello?' no response but she did hear a soft sound, it almost sounded like crying. 

The leaves rustled as she slowly moved towards the noise and as she moved a big leaf over she discovered a small critter. A dusky volan curled up against the roots of a big tree and it looked hurt… badly. She slowly grabbed them and rushed to the veterinary specialist. ‘Hey I know it's late but I need your help!’ a sleepy Korso opened the door and looked at the volan Bast was holding. ‘Oh he is in bad shape, it looks like he was attacked by one of the predators of the jungle’ the Korso lifted up the ripped patagia while slowly shaking their head. Bast followed them to the clinic where the Korso started to treat the little volan. The rest of the night Bast sat at the clinic door waiting for any news. A hand touched her shoulder and she looked at the Korso, ‘now we just have to wait, but he will need care and attention around the clock’. Bast nodded ‘I’ll take them back to Owai-6, to the animal sanctuary’. 

‘Bast your back!’ Ikko was waiting at the shipping docks and ran towards her for a hug. ‘Ikko wait!’ Bast yelled right before they jumped around her neck and Ikko stopped looking confused. They tilted their head, ‘you don't want a hug?’ Bast laughed ‘oh Ikko you know I always love hugs, but this little guy really requires attention’. Ikko looked at the small volan ‘his really hurt, isn't he?’ Bast nodded sadly and they made their way back to Zae’ka and the animal sanctuary. 

They took the volan to the clinic of the sanctuary and placed him on one of the small tables. The following days Bast didn't leave the little guy's side, putting on antibiotics on the patagia and on the cuts and trying to get the critter to eat or drink something. Ikko made sure she ate and tried to convince Bast to let them take care of the volan for a bit so she could sleep but had no luck. 

About a week in the critter still hadn't improved and when Ikko walked into the clinic Bast just stood there staring at the liveless volan. ‘I… I…’ she tried to speak and a tear rolled over her face. ‘I'm so sorry Bast, you did everything you could. He was hurt too much and was too exhausted, but he felt safe enough with you so that he could pass in peace.’ Ikko wrapped her arms around Bast in a tight hug and Bast placed her head on Ikko’s shoulder, crying quietly.

That night they sat together at the edge of the clinic roof, looking up at the stars. Ikko placed their head on Bast's shoulder.

'Are… you alright?’

‘The stars look beautiful tonight.’

‘You didn't answer my question.’

‘I don't want to lie to you.’