Chapter 24: Jason

We break into a run, turning to random directions, trying to stick together. It's not easy, though, and soon we're separated, me going left and the others galloping to the right.

I pause to take a breath, huffing and puffing like mad. I look into my hand, though, and smile. The knapsack was tightly wrapped around my hand, my sweat soaking it.

But where was Ru and Lightning? I look around , but there's no one in sight. No! I can't lose them! They were funny and cheerful, and we had a great time together. We're like The Lion, Tiger, and Bear, who stick together to death. And probably even after that, in heaven. Ru and Lightning cared so much about me, they rushed to get me a doctor and they didn't just leave after that. They stuck around to watch me, to make sure I was in safe hands.

"How could I lose them?" I ask myself. Tears were pooling on my cheeks. "How?"

I collapsed into a heap, crying till there were no tears left. I felt like a loser, losing everything.

"I-I am coming," I whisper. "To you."

And I broke into a race down the hallways.