Mad wakes up. He was in a strangely familiar place. He looks around to see that he was on a plain full of fireflies. It was night. Mad watched the glowing insects fly slowly. He smiled. Soon, the fireflies began to fly and regroup in an area of the plain. Mad watches as the fireflies take a form.
—M-mom? —He says incredulously. His voice sounded like an echo in that place. The image seems to smile. —W-what am I doing here? Wh-where am I?
—This is a dream, my son... And you will soon need to wake up from it... —Said the image, still smiling.
—Mom, mom! I miss you so much! —Mad said getting up and trying to get closer.
—I know, darling... Your father and I missed you two too... —The image said. Mad stops.
—Two? But what about Connor? —He asks fearfully. The figure sighs.
—I'm afraid your brother has already joined the constellation... —The figure takes on a sad face. Mad feels a tear run down his face.
—That idiot... —He says and smiles. —He never wanted to give anyone trouble... But did he really have to refuse our help?
—He felt bad for making you suffer... He knew he could never forgive himself...
—I understand that... Did you come here just to tell me this? —Mad asks.
—I think so, darling... I need to go now... Your brother just got here... Wake up my son... You have a lot to do... —Said the figure, starting to disappear.
—Bye mom... I hope to see you again... —Mad smiles. He feels something touch his face and wakes up.
When he wakes up, Mad is faced with a bear poking him in the face. It was a brown-haired bear. Mad is startled by the soldier who is also startled. Mad slides off the bed and falls. The soldiers watch as the wolf stands up and looks at the bear.
—So, what's your problem suede?! Never heard of personal space? —Screams the angry wolf.
—I thought you were dead... You stood there all the time... —Explains the bear. Mad realizes that he was somewhat younger than the others there. He sighs.
—I trained my body not to move while I sleep. It keeps carnivorous animals away because they think I am a corpse, helps me keep hidden during a long ambush and sometimes helps me escape... But that's not the case... Got it? —The bear nods. Mad smiles. —Good... Now don't wake me up again! —Said Mad sharply. The bear gets scared and walks away.
The other soldiers watched the conversation. Mad realizes and growls.
—What are you looking at?!
—Why were you so nice to him and being such a jerk to us? —Asks the bear Mad hit before he went to sleep. Mad smiles.
—First: he is younger, he was sincere and looks a lot like me at the start... And second: you do not deserve my trust... Much less my friendship... Just that... —Mad says and starts to head out of there. He passes between the soldiers and leaves the barracks.
He walks the halls of the castle looking around. While walking he finds Nightmare. The bear just looks at Mad with disdain. Mad looks away and keeps walking.
Soon he is in the forest. He takes a deep breath with his eyes closed. "Connor..." he thinks "I hope you had a good trip..." As soon as he finishes thinking, Mad spreads his wings showing his wingspan. His tail wags. One more sigh. Mad feels the wind in his hair. His wings move slightly when he decides what he wanted to do at that moment. He opens his eyes, gets ready and...
—You're not planning to run away, are you, wolf? —Mad is startled and goes to the floor. He looks angry at whoever hindered him. It was Nightmare again. He smiled when he saw another failure of the wolf.
—You don't know how to let others breathe in peace, do you? —Asks Mad still angry. He gets up and flaps his wings dusting them off. Nightmare watches.
—Hey... What's with the wings? Like... Where did you get them?
—It's hereditary... My father's entire family has wings. Why? —Mad asks looking at Nightmare with disinterest.
—Nothing... Well... I think you should start your work huh?
—I'm not in the mood... —Mad said taking a stick out of his wings. Nightmare frowns.
—It wasn't a request...
—Ugh! Fine! But don't even think I'm going to throw myself in front of a bullet for you!
—I wouldn't expect anything from a stupid wolf like you... —Nightmare said, starting to walk. Mad rages.
—WHAT?!
Will Mad really not do much for Nightmare? Will he regret taking the job? Find out in the next chapter...
To be continued...