Chapter Seven- Hobbes Side

Hobbes looked at him, and then looked down.

"And what about you Hobbes…? What happened to you…?" Calvin said quietly. Hobbes looked at him for a few moments before speaking.

"I honestly… don't know. I think… I died." Calvin looked at him wide eyed.

"Died? But you're not…"

"I know, but that's the best I can tell you. I remember the accident, I remember the crash. I remember waking up and you were unconscious and bleeding… you had this gash on your forehead and your arm was bent in a way not possible… I tried to stop your bleeding, I put my paws on your head… your mom and dad were out cold… I looked at your dad; damn I thought he was dead! I waited what seemed like eternity for someone, ANYONE to come help… different people showed up. I remember a man grabbing me, tossing me aside as he pulled you form the car. I tried to get to you but as they cut your father loose the chair fell atop of me, I was pinned. I tried to scream out for you Calvin! But they couldn't hear! No one could hear! I was trapped under that chair… I remember listening and hearing everything, they pulled you all free, how the ambulance and police came and went… how the car was lifted onto a truck and moved away… all the while I was trapped. I screamed and wailed, for someone to hear, but no one did…"

"God… Hobbes… I… I'm so sorry…" Calvin slowly reached out and pulled the tiger into his arms. So long ago, it would have been the other way around, but now Calvin held the small tiger in his arms gently. The tiger didn't try to pull away; instead he curled into the teens arms. For some time Calvin and Hobbes remained quiet, allowing for thoughts and emotions to settle, before Hobbes continued.

"I sat in that old car for a long time… I don't know how long. Then one day… I died. I just remember wishing for the pain and sadness to end. I closed my eyes… and was gone. I don't know what happened. I have no memories, no feelings, nothing of that time. My next memory was pain, and a lot of it. I awoke to reality when this big bloody dog had me in its jaws. I screamed and fought, I think I startled the dog, suddenly coming to life. It released me, but not after having chewed me pretty bad. My eye was gone down his throat… that hurt so much. I looked around with my one eye, then I heard a voice. I thought it was an angel. I fell to my back, and was soon picked up by an elderly woman. She looked at me sadly, but then smiled. I looked at her, and I swear to you, she could see me Calvin. She knew.

"She could? But how?" he asked, to which the tiger shrugged.

"Don't know. But she took me to her home, and set me on a shelf. She looked at me and said 'Soon. Soon you will go home. Your life is not finished'. And with that, she left me sitting in the little room for days. When she finally reappeared, she put me into a box with many other things, and went out for a walk. That's when you appeared…"

"That woman… how did she know…?" Calvin breathed quietly.

"I think… she was an angel Calvin. Only way to explain it. Either way… I owe her my life." Calvin nodded and hugged him.

"Same here pal. Have to thank her if I ever see her again huh?"

"You'd better." Hobbes chuckled. Calvin smiled and laughed, then the cell phone on his belt beeped.

"Aw..shit." he snorted as he picked it up.

"What is it?" The tiger asked.

"It's my cell. Mom and dad are probably looking for me. Damnit, I'm so busted."

"Oh… aren't you supposed to be in school or something?" the tiger asked, eyeing him.

"Yea, I am. Relax, I'll deal with this." Calvin gave his devious smirk and stood up. Hobbes smiled.

"Off to school?"

"You bet your stripy orange tail."