Well guys… Pretty much nothing to really say…

Except if you have not checked out my message to the people of Belgium, please do so!

Other than that, lets get back to it!

Chapter 15: Death Wish

While the Blue and Scarlet tribes were in their heated up state and the trial getting closer and closer to its date, Alex was still staying where he was and that was with Tomada and Sorrel, along with their two kids. With each passing day that he stayed with the family, he missed Lily more and more and grew ever more regretful of leaving his home. However he choose to be in self-exile, everyone except for his family and loved one, would be happy he was gone and Alex would accept that.

As the morning started again in this part of the Amazon, Alex woke up to the sunlight flowing into his eyes and waking him up to start another day. As he got up, he looked at the empty space next to him and sighed, picturing his beautiful mate snoring like an angel, a smile forming in her beak when he nudged her a little to get up.

"Oh Lily, if only you were here." Alex quietly said to himself.

Tomada came out from his and Sorrel's room in the hollow and gave a mighty yawn loudly as he rubbed his eyes with his wings to see Alex awake.

"Good morning Alex, slept well?" Tomada asked nicely.

"Well, it was alright, could be better." Alex replied, his tone of voice low.

"How about you and I go out, enjoy the warm day?" Tomada asked, seeing Alex a bit down about himself for some reason.

Pretty soon Sorrel, Tomada Junior, and Bobbie woke up after the two adult males did so and everyone settled down to eat some breakfast to fill their bellies with some morning energy. Alex didn't really feel like eating and only ate a little, after which he didn't feel any different, not full or empty. As the family finished and Sorrel wiped her chicks' beaks, the two little ones a bit disgusted by their mother using her saliva to clean them, Tomada signaled for Alex to follow him. Sorrel noticed Tomada and wondered where he was going.

"Tom? Where are you going?" Sorrel asked.

"Just going out with Alex here, that's all." Tomada replied, in his usual happy tone.

"Well how about you take Bobbie with you?" Sorrel asked of her mate.

"Yeah, can I go with you daddy?" Bobbie pleaded.

"Okay sweetie, come on." Tomada smiled.

"Wait, what about me?" Junior questioned, also wanting to go.

"No Junior, you stay with your mother and keep her safe, understand?" Tomada replied to the little falcon. "Besides, spend some time with your mother."

Junior sighed as he smirked at his sister, who giggled in response looking at Junior.

"Fine dad, I'll stay." Junior crossed his wings.

"That's my boy." Tomada smiled once more before he flew out, followed by Alex and Bobbie.

The three birds flew through the forest canopy and exercised their wings, Tomada even making it an unfair race, when he just suddenly yelled it out, as well he was the predatory bird out of the three, made to fly faster than a macaw could. Tomada soon decided to give his new friend and daughter a break by landing on a branch. While Alex and Bobbie were panting to catch their breaths, Tomada was still as fresh as he first woke up in the morning.

"Tomada, why did you have to make it a race?" Alex panted, a bit annoyed at his new friend.

"Yeah dad, I feel tired now." Bobbie agreed with Alex.

"Oh come on you two, it was fun, for me." Tomada chuckled while Alex and his daughter gave him looks on their faces.

Bobbie was wondering about something and well since she was alone with Alex and her daddy, she wanted to ask Alex a question that has been nagging her since she saw him.

"Mr. Alex, do you mind if I ask, why did you come here?" Bobbie asked as nicely as she could.

"Sweetie, it's rude to ask guests personal questions." Tomada scolded Bobbie, Alex sighing as he thought of an answer that would not fully give away why he left his home.

"No, it's okay." Alex replied, turning to Bobbie. "Well little one, I just had some personal issues that involved someone I really like and I needed to go away to think about some things. And I guess I just ended up where your father was." Alex gave his answer.

Bobbie was a little confused by what Alex just said. However Tomada realized what Alex was saying and decided to move along the conversation to avoid the awkwardness and the sadness that Alex was probably feeling, which he was. Luckily, the sky up above began to get overcast again, the clouds grey and heavy with raindrops, ready to unleash the wet downpour, giving Tomada the chance to speak up.

"Well looks like we are in for another rainy day, lets go home you two." Tomada said and turned to his daughter. "Get under my wing sweetie to stay dry while we go."

"Yes daddy." Bobbie answered and with that, the three flew back in a hurry before the rain could fully reach its peak and soak them to the bones.

Tomada soon enough spotted the hollow and with Bobbie still taking shelter under her father's wing, the three got inside, Tomada and Alex all wet. Bobbie got into her mother's warm wings while Toamda and Alex shook their feathers dry and made a sound of relief from getting out under the rain.

"Well Junior looks like you did a good job protecting your mother, good boy." Tomada said to his son.

"Thanks dad." Junior answered.

"Well it looks like you three had a good time." Sorrel joined the chat.

"Not really mommy, daddy made a race and exhausted me and Mr. Alex out." Bobbie replied, teasing her dad, Sorrel making a face to Tomada.

"What? I couldn't help it, it was too much fun." Tomada tried looking innocent. "And it was good exercise."

"Alright, you get a free pass today, Mr. Marathon." Sorrel joked and gave a kiss on Tomada's cheek. "Oh did you bring dinner with you?" Sorrel asked.

"Oh no! We should have done that before we came!" Tomada smacked a wing lightly on his forehead. "I'll go get some fruits."

Alex thought he should repay Tomada and his family for letting him stay with them during his exile by getting the food himself for them.

"No, how about I go get some food, it's the least I could do for you guys letting me stay here." Alex said, blocking Tomada's way out.

"You sure Alex, it's pouring really hard now and you don't know your way around easily yet." Tomada tried convincing Alex to stay.

"I will manage, it will be my pleasure." Alex smiled and before anyone could say anything more, Alex was on his way out to find some food.

The rain made it quite difficult to see as the water kept getting in his eyes as well as making his wings heavier, resulting in Alex having to put more strength into flying. He felt the extreme cold going deep into his red feathers and soaking up his skin, making his body icy cold, the warmth disappearing. Alex began shivering and felt his body temperature get lower and lower, he felt sick and began coughing.

Alex thought it was also good to go out to get the food, to also punish himself for leaving Lily, it was cruel to do this to himself, but Alex thought otherwise and felt he deserved this. If Lily was going through the pain, than he would feel pain too. However, Alex somehow how the will to also soldier on, for he knew there was a chance he would see his sweet Lily again one day.

Alex soon spotted a tree fruit of mangoes and settled down on a branch. After refocusing, he began picking some ripe mangoes that were close to him while he was coughing more and more and feeling cold all over. As Alex was picking the mangoes, a huge figure was silently watching Alex and landed on the branches above him, stalking him with interest. The figure took a step that made some noise, loud enough that Alex heard it and turned around, wondering who it could be.

"Tomada? Is that you?" Alex questioned. "I thought I said I will go alone." Alex spoke out.

"No." The figure spoke and dropped down to land in front of Alex, with the branch making a loud thud as the huge figure stood up to his full height and smiled evilly at Alex. "However it is time for you to get eaten."

Alex was face to face with a Harpy Eagle.

Oh boy… Well I'm screwed…