Chapter sixteen – A Word of Warning

Crunch pressed his face into his hands as soon as he was alone. What was he doing? What was going through his mind? He didn't have a clue. A shadow of memory had passed and suddenly he realized he held little Coco in a strangle hold. The shock of his behavior left him cold. However, he composed himself quickly. He could not allow himself to give in to any more dangerous emotions. He crossed his arms and stared out the window, searching for relief in the soothing scenery. He was unsuccessful.

He heard the door open, and his ear twitched. He didn't turn at once. The enterer paused for a moment before shutting the door again. Crunch sniffed the air and frowned. His scent was unmistakable. He heard Crash heave a sigh from behind him.

"Things are looking a little rough here, Crunch."

Crunch remained silent. Crash continued without hesitation.

"I don't know what's up with you lately, but just to give you a head's up, don't think for a second that we haven't noticed something's off with you."

Now Crunch did turn. His anger was rising again, but to his astonishment Crash wasn't smiling. He was staring at him with a calm and composed expression Crunch had never seen before. Crunch snarled.

"You have no idea what's going on here."

"No. I don't." Crash shrugged absently. "And frankly, I'm confident that if you're in trouble you'll tell us. I'm not going to rush in and shove help down your throat if you don't want it. What's the point in that? It's a waste of energy. However, if you do need help, and by the looks of it you do, we're always here if you need us." Crash smiled, but his eyes were icy. "But although all evidence points to the contrary, I'm not a complete idiot. Don't get angry with someone who only wants to help you. Don't upset my sister again."

Crash's tone was light, but the threat was obvious. Crunch supposed he should be amused at Crash's threat, however, he hadn't seen that fierce look in the bandicoot's eyes before. Perhaps luck wasn't the only thing that kept him alive all these years. Crash certainly was not a fool. And speaking this threat with a smile made him look positively frightening. Crash opened the door and walked out, but before he shut it he stuck his head back in the room.

"We'll help if you need it Crunch, just ask."

With that Crash closed the door calmly, and Crunch listened to his fading footsteps for a moment. When he was cast in silence once again he whirled around, a snarl on his lips. Even Crash saw that something was wrong with him. Part of Crunch did want to cave in and ask for help, but what could they do? They'd only get in his way. Suddenly Crunch felt absolutely exhausted. He sat on the ground and leaned his back against his bed. He let his head fall back and he stared at the ceiling for a few moments. When the sun disappeared and the lunar glow of the moon replaced it, Crunch felt his eyes grow heavy. He did not even remember drifting off to sleep.

Tawna had remained in bed for a good part of the night. It had to be midnight at least. As Tawna watched the dark clouds, heavy with rain, drift across the sky, she thought about Crunch. It was actually rather embarrassing how much he dominated her thoughts. She could see a dark struggle within him, and more then anything she wanted to help him. However, he'd made it clear by his outburst that evening that he didn't want help. However, Tawna could not accept that.

Tawna heard the pattering of rainfall out her window as she stood and wrapped a cloth housecoat about her, concealing her nightdress. She wrapped her arms around herself, but she was not cold. She was shaking with nervousness. But she was determined.

Tawna opened the door and peeked into the hall. She could hear Crash snoring from the living room, and the door to Crash's room, Coco's temporarily, was closed. She would not be seen. The hut felt very dark and lonely with everyone asleep, but Tawna paid no attention. She preferred it far more then the unceasing lightshow that brightened the club every night. Tawna stood in front of Crunch's door, shivering. She clenched her hand into a fist preparing to knock, but she lost her nerve instantly. She stood there for a few minutes, raising and then dropping her hand. Her frustration got the better of her and she sighed in anger at herself. She turned and pressed her back against Crunch's door, wondering if she did talk to him, what on earth would she say? There was nothing she could have to say that would help the situation, that much was certain. Slowly and gracefully, Tawna slid down the door to the ground. She pulled her folded knees to her chest and simply sat for a moment, no company save for the surrounding darkness.