Half an hour later, Ash was gazing up at the garage. She scanned the various worn signs, vaguely noting how they were just a cover. Shaking her head, she headed for the door. It creaked on opening, light spilling through behind her. The garage looked almost abandoned, only Johnny's familiar truck present. Random spare parts littered the floor, gathering dust. Various weights and punch bags were grouped in one corner. Ash took a deep breath and strode in. she glanced around, unsure what to do.

'Johnny?' she called, voice echoing. A crash above made her jump, a yelp soon following. Ash spotted a staircase and went for it. As she made her way up, she called the teens name again. Rapid footsteps echoed down the stairwell, as well as the noise of a door slamming. Well at least she knew he was home. Reaching the top of the stairs, she looked around. A sitting room greeted her, pizza boxes pilled next to the large television. The sofa was worn, with a few tears in the leather. A kitchen was conjoined to the left, cupboards old and battered. One was slightly ajar, door looking a bit wonky. A table sat in the middle, with four mismatched, gorilla sized chairs.

To her right was a corridor with a few doors and, hopefully, her goal. She wandered down it, remembering Oscar's words. 'Last on the left' was a door just like the others. Straightening her shoulders, Ash raised a paw. She knocked gently, speaking out.

'Johnny, you in there?' no answer. Quills swayed as her head tilted. Maybe he was in the bathroom or something….. A turn quickly shut that line of thinking down. The bathroom door was opposite, left slightly ajar. Steamed mirror told her than he hadn't long showered. Turning back to Johnny's door, she knocked again. Still, silence. Head tilted again, she reached for the door handle. It twisted, but the door didn't move. Not even her whole weight could shift it. Relaxing back, Ash leant her forehead against the wood. Great, she couldn't get in, and had no evidence Johnny was here. He could've easily done a runner.

A faint shuffling noise made her ears perk. That had definitely come from the room Ash was trying to enter. Ok, so he was home. Her heart sank as she realised he was obviously hiding from her. She stepped back, thinking of leaving, but Oscar's plea came back to her. She had to try. Stealing herself, she stepped back up to the door.

'Johnny, I know you're in there. You don't have to come out, just listen, please.' No answer. Ash had to take that as a plus. 'I'm sorry for shouting at you. I'm sorry for everything I said, as well. I was exhausted and stressed to all hell and went on the defensive, when I shouldn't have. You were just trying to be kind, and I shoved it back in your face. It's just that…..' she paused. Swallowing, she knew it had to be said. Johnny deserved the truth. 'Lance came round that night. Prat thought he could win me back. Was telling me how he ditched Becky and stuff, how I apparently needed him. He said some shit that hurt too.' Another shuffle, but Ash wasn't stopping now.

'Pointed out some truths about myself I didn't want to see. The next day, I was so afraid you'd all see that in me, and leave me like everyone else had, I just couldn't cope. I freaked out and took it out on you all. Truth is, I just couldn't understand why you all seemed to care about me so much. Still don't really. But when you expect all that to turn around and bite you in the ass, it's difficult to accept it. So I'm sorry. I don't blame you if you never want to see me again, but I needed to tell you the truth.' The porcupine lifted her head off the door jam, listening. The quietness was suffocating.

After a few minutes, she let her shoulder slump. Johnny wasn't going to talk to her. The porcupine felt like crying. It was evident she had lost her friend for good. Feeling defeated and hollow, she pressed her paw against the door.

'Ok, fair enough. That's ok… But Johnny? Go see your dad. He's worried sick bout you not showing up. Okay?' still no answer, but she didn't expect one this time. Turning away, she walked back towards the stairs.


Johnny didn't move till he heard the garage door clang shut. Shaking, he let out the breath he was holding. His back ached from being pressed against the chest against his door, but he barely noticed. Mind swirling, questions filled his mind. How did Ash know where he lived, let alone where his room was? She, said about going to see his dad, had she seen him? That thought was horrifying. He prayed she hadn't. Why did she think she was a failure? The porcupine was brilliant in every way in his eyes, even if she wasn't perfect.

And Lance… he had nearly went to go attack that wanker before the rage scared him into staying. So much anger, it left his hands shaking wildly. Johnny could understand why he was mad, the thought of Lance upsetting Ash was awful. He had no right to even look at her, let alone try and win her back. Deep breaths Johnny. The gorilla opened his eyes, trying to relax his hands and his lips lowered back over his teeth. This, he reminded himself, was why he didn't open the door. He would've never forgiven himself if Ash saw him in that state.

It was dark when he rose to leave his room. Shoving aside his blockage, he padded to the kitchen. Spotting the cupboard he had whacked his head on, he vacantly rubbed the sore spot. He hadn't expected anyone, let alone the object of his affections, to show up here. The teen knelt down to the lower draw he had been rooting in before. Picking up the instant noodles again, he sat about making himself dinner.

Set up with a piping hot bowl, he flopped onto the sofa. Flicking on the TV just to fill the silence. The news came on. Some story about a broken bridge blared at him quietly. Johnny shrugged, flipping over to some random cooking show. He didn't really care what he watched, as long as it wasn't depressing. Three hours later, he found himself thinking about Ash again, as a porcupine attempted to make a perfect cake. The little rocker adored Meena's baking, always racing to get first pick. Her expression of joy always made Johnny smile, no matter the circumstances.

His mind drifted back to her words about his dad. She was right, of course. He hadn't seen his dad in ages, choosing to hide in the garage instead. Guilt began to well in him, as he shuffled uncomfortably. What sort of son promises to see his dad, then doesn't show up? Leaning his head back, eyes shut, Johnny made a decision. Hewould go tomorrow morning.


The next day the prison appeared even darker grey under the overcast sky. Johnny strode in the now familiar entrance, towards the desk. He rubbed his neck, sore from falling asleep on the sofa, and address the ram.

''Ello, I'm 'ere to see Oscar Colvin. I'm his son Johnny.' The ram peered at his curiously, before typing into his computer.

'Right…. Got it. Through those doors and wait until called, Mr Colvin,' the ram mumble whilst clicking at his screen. Johnny mumbled his thanks before entering the waiting room. Ever since his dad was moved to a more permanent cell, Johnny got so see him in the visiting room. It was much more comfortable that talking through blasted phones. Plonking down in the nearest seat, he waited.

Eventually the cheetah called his name and he slid past a small family of flamingos into the visiting room. Eyes scanning the room, he spotted his dad at one of the tables. He jogged over, gently calling.

'Dad!' the larger gorilla lifted his head, grin breaking out over his face. Standing, he swept his son of his feet into a bear hug. Johnny huffed out a breath, feeling his ribs creak. Eventually his dad let him go, pushing him towards a seat. As they sat down, the familiar voice washed over him.

'Johnny! Remind me to thank tha' girl. Where yer been, huh? Too busy ter come see yer dear old dad, huh?' whilst he could see the mirth in his father's face, Johnny felt guilt well up. Rubbing his neck, he grinned sheepishly.

'Yeah, sorry bout that dad….. Was just…..' he trailed to a halt. How could he explain? He looked up at his father, spying worried blue eyes. Damn, he really had worried him. Ash was right, again. Huffing, he continued. 'I really am sorry. I promise it won't happen again.' A large hand rested on his shoulder. His dad almost looked sympathetic.

'Don't worry bout it, Johnny. I'm just glad ter see yer. Aint holding anythin' 'gainst yer. Now, talk to yer dad. What's been botherin' yer?' Johnny's head shot up, mouth opening slightly. How did…? His dad just raised a brow, eyes half rolling in the universal I'm your father, and I can read you like a book. Flushing slightly, the teen shuffled in his seat. In a last ditch attempt to change the subject, he blurted out,

'Did Ash come to see you the other day?' relieved, Johnny watched his dad sit back nodding.

'Yeah, got some people ter track 'er down, so I could talk to 'er. Was only person that I could think mightta seen yer. Why, didn't yer speak wiv her?' Johnny smacked his face into his hand, groaning. God know what sort of stuff his dad had said about him. Heavy chuckles broke the teen from his thoughts.

'Don't worry, I didn't embarrass yer. She just explain what was goin' on, and told me she'd go see yer.' Johnny sighed, leaning back. His dad seemed genuine in his answer, so he trusted him. Still, Ash meeting his dad… shaking his head, he mumbled,

'That explains so much.' He was met with confusion.

'So she did go. How come yer haven't spoke to her then?' Johnny flushed properly then. Crap. The stern 'Johnny…' kicked him into gear.

'I was in my room. She spoke through the door, but I didn't actually see her.' His father frowned.

'And 'ow come yer were hiding from her?' Johnny scratched his neck. Great, back onto the main issue. He fidgeted for several minutes, gaze fixed to the table. Eventually he looked up. Only to find his worst nightmare. His dad was making that face. The completely calm, if a bit curious look that was sure to crack anyone. The one that held no expectations, but made you want to spill your guts. His father often used it to get confidential information, or to make Johnny talk.

'Am I a bad person?' came flying out, his brain obviously not willing to take any more of the look. Shock over rode the elder's face.

'Course yer aren't Johnny. Don't think yer gotta bad bone in ya.' Johnny twitched.

'Yeah, but the thing is, the day Ash ran out of the theatre, we were trying to work out what was up with her, and Mr Moon suggested someone was threatenin' her. And, not that I realised I was doing it, I was growling and nearly broke my mug. I was so willing to go rip into some theoretical person, and the others look terrified. Scared me too, when I realised. It's why I've been hiding at the flat, and why I didn't come out to see Ash. I didn't wanna scare her, and when she told me about Lance upsetting her, it all came back again….' Johnny finished nervously. Oscar was sat, gazing at him, with an extremely thoughtful look in his face. The teen knew he needed to wait, so he sat back, picking at the chipped table.