" What do you mean by family?" asked Master Swoop. " Someone who won't judge me. I don't have parents. I have a brother though, but even he hasn't seen me. I'm deathly afraid of having to tell RJ anything about me." said Theo. Master Swoop's arms tightened around him and Theo let out a sigh. He buried his face in Master Swoop's chest and said man, smiled just a bit.
" I'm more like you then you know Master Swoop." said Theo. " I accept you as you are Theo. I would never judge you." said Master Swoop. He felt a slight urge to protect Theo from RJ. He didn't know why but he knew Theo needed someone to count on. The hidden pain emanating from Theo gave him a headache.
" Do you ever have the feeling like our animal spirits are trying to merge with us?" asked Master Swoop. " What do you mean?" asked Theo. " I mean, do you have the almost literal urge to transform into your animal spirit form?" asked Master Swoop. " Yes. It's like when RJ gets mad, I have the urge to step back or run away. Wouldn't that be my instincts?" asked Theo. " Yes it would be. My bat spirit makes it where I have excellent ears and I'm able to sense people and where they are easily." said Master Swoop.
" I'd love to stay like this, but I have to get back." said Theo. Master Swoop let go and stepped back.
" Alright, but if anything happens, don't be afraid to come to me." said Master Swoop. " I won't." said Theo. He and Master Swoop stood and walked back to the patio. Theo went back to RJ's through his entrance and Master Swoop sat down on his swing. He wondered what RJ had done to scare Theo so badly. The more he thought about it, the more protective he became. Meanwhile, Theo landed in RJ's loft on his feet. He walked across the room to the door. He opened it and walked down the stairs.
He made it to the bottom and walked to a backroom located next to the stairs. He knocked and Fran came to the door. " What's up Theo?" asked Fran. " Oh, I was just wondering where RJ was." said Theo. " Oh! He was just looking for you. He said something about him training you specially." said Fran. Little did either of them know, it was far from the truth. Theo nodded and said, " Thank you. Where is he?" asked Theo. " I'm not sure, but I can help you find him." said Fran. Theo moved aside and she stepped out, closing the door behind her. He walked beside her as they went to look for RJ.
Fifteen minutes later, they found him in front of the oven tossing pizza dough. " What can I do for you two?" asked RJ. As he looked over at them. " Fran said you wanted to train me?" asked Theo. An odd smile crossed RJ's face that had Theo on edge. He didn't like the creepy feeling he was getting. He knew RJ was smiling because the pace in which he was tossing the dough increased. " Sure, we can go now. Just let me hand this off. Casey!" shouted RJ. Casey came running in a few seconds later.
" Yeah?" he asked. As he slid to a stop next to Theo. " Take this will you? I need to go talk to Theo." said RJ. Casey nodded and walked over. He took the dough and RJ rid himself of the apron. He wiped his hands on his pants and walked out. " Thanks Fran." called Theo, over his shoulder.
He fallowed RJ out. He felt heard the door open and felt wind on his face. " Where are we going?" asked Theo. RJ didn't answer and kept walking. Theo heard the soft scuffing sound of walking through grass and wondered anew where they were going. Suddenly RJ stopped, making Theo bump into him. RJ turned around and his arm flailed out. It was almost like it was reflex, except, it was too controlled. It knocked Theo to the ground on his back. He propped himself up using his elbows as he looked in the direction he guessed he was in.
Theo couldn't help but suddenly feel uneasy. He didn't know why, but felt as if he'd been tricked. That thought hurt. He saw RJ as his mentor and a father figure. He couldn't bare the thought of him of all people doing it. A moment later, the dreaded thought came to pass.