"HAWKKKKK!" he shrieked, abandoning the chase and spiraling downwards into the overgrowth. Ahead, he could hear Chedder's heart racing almost as rapidly as his own. The shadow grew darker as the hawk, spotting movement, circled back and began coming closer.

Phineas dove for cover within a large fern, trying to ease his thumping heart and the painfully bright glow from his wings. If there was one thing the ferocious beast would see, it would be a bright glowing fairy, perfect for an afternoon snack.

Getting eaten by a bird was extremely low on his to-do list. Right down there with get discovered and tell everyone the truth. The hawk could eat him then, once everyone hated him,but not yet. For now, he needed to stay low, stay hidden, and stay alive.

The hawk circled closer, screeching a terrible call, most likely to its friends to come and help, like tasty mouse and fairy over here! Come get it!

Where was Cheddar anyway?

Realizing the mouse wasn't near him, he cautiously peered around the end of the fern. When he could see nothing, he dared a whisper. "Cheddar? Are ya there?"

There was no response from the mouse.

Desperately, he scanned the trees for signs of Vidia. The fast-flyer had been right behind him. Surely she had seen the hawk, right? She was probably on her way to get help now as he thought. So where did that leave him? Cowering in the shadows, waiting to be rescued while there were fairies out there, putting themselves in danger for his sake.

Some Protector I am.

And that was when the thought came to him. I am the Protector. I am supposed to be keeping everyone safe, not hiding, waiting for someone else to rescue me. I can do that all by myself! I can find Cheddar and get us both out of here in one piece.

"CHEDDAR!" he hissed a third time.

There was a shuffle from a patch of grass a short distance away and he recognized the patch of gray momentarily become visible before vanishing once more amongst the grass.

He's alive!

So that was a start at least. Now all he had to do was figure out how to get to the mouse and get them both away before the hawk spotted them.

Piece of cake.

Right.

"Cheddar," he said, forcing his voice into a whisper as he knelt against the dirt and held out his arms toward the frightened creature. "Here, boy. Come here. It's all right." Even as he spoke, he kept his eyes toward the sky, watching the hawk cautiously. "Come to me," he went on, forcing every bit of animal talent into his words. The mouse seemed to understand. "That's it," the tinker hissed, unable to hold back the breath of relief as the rodent started toward him. "You're almost there. Just a little bit further."

Where are Vidia and Clank?!

They should have been back a long time ago, he realized. The scout outposts were just across the meadow. They could have flown halfway across the hollow by now! He felt the fear surge inside of him. What if the hawk had caught them? What if no one was coming to help? What then?

I have to get us out of this mess, he decided, crouching down on one knee to coax the timid mouse the rest of the way. Cheddar was so close, just a small patch of grassless dirt to go, and-

As the mouse scrambled toward him, a furious scream could be heard from the air and he spun just as the hawk honed in on the mouse and dove, talons extended wide, victory in its soulless eyes.

"LOOK OUT!" Phineas bellowed, zipping forward before he could think and shoving the rodent forcibly out the way. Sharp claws raked his side and shoulders as the hawk beat its wings furiously, taking back to the sky, having missed its shot. Phineas hit the dirt, tumbling head over heels. He finally came a stop against a collection of boulders where he lay, stunned by the force of the impact and the pain erupting through his nerves.

Meanwhile, Cheddar dove for cover once again amongst the weeds. The hawk screamed, curling its wings and circling back for another pass, zeroing in on the tinker as he lay there, lights bursting before his eyes. It lunged, talons extended, ready to end him right then and there...

"Bobble!"

A spear whistled past his ear, nearly impaling the hawk and sending the bird jerking away with a cry, glaring at the sparkling wings racing across the meadow toward him. Unconsciously, he let out a sigh of relief. They hadn't forgotten him after all! He was safe! They both were.

"Scouts!" the head fairy yelled, her voice carrying over the plains. "On me! You two," she added, barking toward Vidia and Clank who trailed close behind. "Get your friend and get out of here!"

Clank nodded and Vidia, surprisingly, didn't argue and together they zipped down to the stones.

"Guys..." Phineas groaned as they each took an arm and heaved him to his feet, catching him as he swayed unsteadily. "Ye...came back...thank...thank ya."

"Yeah, don't thank us yet, Talentless," Vidia snapped, eyeing the sky as the scouts swerved and dove to avoid the hawk's sharp beak. "We aren't safe yet."

"Are you alright, buddy?" Clank asked worriedly. "How many fingers am I holding up?" He held up four.

"Four," Phineas replied instantly. "I'm fine. I just...got startled..."

"Pulverized is more like it," Vidia snorted as Clank carefully began counting, getting tripped up twice. "How many times did that thing hit you? You're a wreck!"

"Just...just once," Phineas winced as she resecured her hold on his arm, practically dragging him and Clank after her. "But...ow...everythin' hurts...Cheddar..."

"The scouts got 'im," Clank assured him. "We'll get you to a healing talent right away!"

"No..." Phineas groaned, feeling fear flash through his mind. But, not his own. "There's...somethin's...somethin's wrong. Cheddar...he's...he's scared."

"Cheddar will be fine," Vidia grumped impatiently. "Focus on you or Fawn and the others are going to have my head for not 'looking after you' as they so tactfully put it."

"But..."

She cut off his protests with a dangerous glare. He swallowed hard and glanced away from her, fighting the onslaught of panic and agony from the mouse. He didn't understand how he was feeling Cheddar's emotions or how Animal Talents dealt with it constantly. But he couldn't say anything more or risk exposing himself. And with Vidia hot on the case, he didn't want to give her the last piece of evidence she needed to convict him.

So he dutifully kept his mouth shut and let them take him to the healing talents who, after a quick observation, pronounced him just fine. A little roughed up, perhaps, but not any worse for the wear.

Apparently, news traveled fast through the Hollow, especially when a hawk was involved, and he was met with the mob better known as the girls the moment he left.

"What happened?" Silvermist asked, hurrying alongside him on foot.

"Are you all right?" Rosetta inquired.

"Why is it you always get hurt as soon as we leave?" Iridessa demanded. Everyone glanced toward her and she shrugged. "What? I'm just saying..."

Oh, Phineas, her mind sighed. Why can't you be more careful? You've been injured more times than the lightning bugs have messed up their synchronization.

He winced, his gaze dropping to the earth as the other's minds echoed similar thoughts. Except for Vidia-who was thinking more vile thoughts, particularly pertaining what could have happened if the hawk had gotten him and then forcibly pushing those images away, almost as if she were trying to care and hating herself for it. And Clank-who's mind remained unusually silent. Phin still didn't understand how he was blocking him but his fellow tinker wasn't letting anything slip past his perfectly-concerned expression.

Phineas wondered how much of it was an act.

"It wasn't Bobble's fault!" Clank tried to stand up for him. "It was the 'awks fault!"

The girls shared a concerned glance.

"Oh, we know Phin wouldn't have done anything intentionally," Rosetta tried to amend. "But, it's just...how do we say this gently?"

"He's a walking disaster?" Vidia snorted.

"VIDIA!" Fawn snapped.

"Dearie, if you haven't noticed this by now, perhaps scotsman over there isn't the one who needs the glasses."

"I said gently, Vidia!" Rosetta exclaimed, exasperated. "Look, sweetie," she added, seeing Phin's crestfallen expression. "We all love you. Even Vidia-"

"Ha," the fast-flyer snorted.

"Even Vidia," Rosetta repeated firmly. She fluttered down to lay a gentle hand on his shoulder. "But, Phin, you have to admit, you are rather...accident-prone. I mean, just think about the thistles-"

"And the lightning bugs," Iridessa put in.

"And now the hawk," Rosetta finished. "The fact is, we don't know why these things are happening to you, but-"

But we need you to be more careful. For the Hollow's sake.

So that's what they were trying to say. They were afraid that his "carelessness" was going to hurt the Hollow. And they weren't wrong to think that way. In the short time he'd been there, he'd already almost crushed half the meadow and Rosetta with the Sprinting Thistles, nearly destroyed half a month's work in the workshop, and drove Cheddar right into mortal peril.

Vidia was right. He was a walking disaster and it would be a mistake for him to stay around them and put them in any more danger than they were already in. He needed to protect them and it seemed there was only one way to do that.

"I get it," he said flatly, shrugging off Rosetta's hand and pointedly shifting away from them. "I'm too clumsy. It's not safe for ya to be around me." His wings drooped and he trudged away toward the creek.

"Phin," Silvermist breathed, fluttering after him. "Phin, we didn't mean it like that!"

"Yeah!" Fawn added, catching up now too. "We want to spend time with you! We really do!"

"But I only make things worse for everyone," he cried, walking faster, trying to escape. "Ya said it yourself! I create problems everywhere I go!"

"Okay, so yes, you have flaws!" Iridessa said. "That just means your a fairy! No one is perfect, Phineas! Besides, you're a great tinker! One of the brightest I know! You just...haven't found your footing quite yet and that's all right! Everyone is different! You'll discover your strengths when you need them the most!"

I already know my strengths, he thought grimly. And they all involve lying, betrayal, and broken friendships all around.

"Just go," he said, his voice breaking like his heart. "Leave me alone. Ye don't want to be here. I know that. So please..."

"Phineas..." Fawn began again, reaching out to take his hand but hesitating at the last moment. Maybe he just needs to be alone for a little while. He must still be in shock from the hawk. "Come on, you guys," she said slowly, signaling for the others to follow. "Let's give him some space."

"All right..."

One by one, they began to fly away, leaving Phineas standing alone by the side of the stream.

Well...almost alone.

"Bobble?"

"What is it, Clank?" he sighed, not turning around but sensing the tinker standing anxiously behind him. "And my name's Phineas."

"You didn't...do those things they said on purpose, did you?"

"No!" he exclaimed. "Of course I didn't! I didn't want anyone to get hurt! How could ya even consider I-" He spun around, stopping dead at the grin plastered across Clank's face. "What's so funny?"

"I don't understand why you're so upset," Clank admitted. "If you didn't do those things on purpose, then you have nothing to be ashamed of. At least, that's how I see it."

But you don't know anything about me, Phin thought darkly. "Thank ye," he replied. "But it's not so simple."

"Sure it is!" Clank argued, not seeing or ignoring Phineas's blatant scowl. "You made a mistake...or three! That doesn't mean you're any less caring! I've only been here for two days but I can see the difference you make! The girls love you because you're you!"

"Oh, I'm not so sure about that-"

"I am. Look, Bobble-"

"Phineas."

"-I know I'm not the smartest fairy here," Clank went on. "But I know they only want you to be safe."

"Aye, that they do." Phin kicked a pebble solemnly. But that wasn't the only reason. They suspect there's more to the story, even if they don't know why.

"Soooo?"

He sighed. "So, I don't know what ya are referren' to."

"Why are you afraid to be around them?" Clank asked. He didn't sound like he understood the impact of his words, but Phin couldn't help the wince that followed. "It's like you always dodge whenever they ask you something. Why?"

"No reason," Phin lied. "I'm don't...like fairies gettin' up in my face, that's all."

"But, they weren't up in your face..."

"I don't really want to talk about it, Clank," Phineas interrupted.

"But mebbe if you just-"

"No," Phin answered abruptly. "Thanks, but no."

"All right," Clank sighed. "You don't 'ave to tell me but mebbe if you opened up a little, you wouldn't have to be so secretive."

"Sure," Phin repeated half-heartedly.

He could tell Clank didn't believe him but his fellow tinker decided not to push any further.

"I'm...going to go now," Clank said. "Catch up with Fawn. Helping her with the rabbits this afternoon. But if you ever wanna talk..."

"Thank ya," Phin sighed. He waited until Clank had left before silently kneeling next to the water, watching as it gurgled and swirled contently past.

Maybe if you opened up a little...

No, he couldn't do that. It was too dangerous. He'd worked too long and hard on his front to let it crumble at the slightest pressure. No one could know. Not like this. Opening up equaled them finding out the truth which would result in them hating him for the rest of his life. At one point, he wouldn't have cared. Now he did. He wanted to keep the friendships he'd made and he was willing to fight for them.

No matter what, they could never found out the truth.

And he would do whatever it took to keep that truth hidden.