Wakko had always known there was a good chance they would end up on the run… that was common sense when you were listed as Warnerstock's most wanted. He'd always told himself that he wouldn't be scared, that he'd be brave like their dad, like a Hero. He'd said that to his brother once, after the orphanage closed. He remembered the proud, but still sad smile Yakko gave him, how he'd wondered why his brother would be sad. More than anything, he remembered what Yakko said.

"One time I asked Dad if someone can still be brave if they're scared. Ya know what he did? He just smiled and said, 'Being scared is the only way someone can be brave.'"

Wakko frowned a little, cocking his head.

"But… how can you be brave and scared?"

Yakko grinned at him, reaching out to ruffle his cap.

"'Cause being brave doesn't mean not bein' scared at all. It means doing the right thing even if you're scared."

Wakko knew his older brother was usually right, and he certainly hoped that was the case with this. Because there was no denying the middle Warner was scared. Very scared. Every rattling of the bare tree branches and rustle of the snowy undergrowth sent his heart pounding, his head filling with the sickening fear that they'd been found.

But he kept his back straight, determined not to show it. Even if he might not need to completely squash out his fear, he didn't have to make it obvious either. Not just because he didn't want to make things harder for his siblings, but because he didn't want to scare Dot. He was a big brother too, and it was his job to make sure his little sister was okay.

Another breath of chilled wind whispered through the trees, making Wakko shiver a little. Why did this have to happen when it was so cold? He found his thoughts moving to the home and people they'd just left. He bit his lip in worry; would they be okay? What if the soldiers hurt them? That brought a swell of guilt; the soldiers were looking for him and his siblings, so if they did hurt someone, did that mean it was sort of his fault?

The middle Warner had often wanted to voice that concern, but he didn't bother. He knew what Yakko would say… none of this was on him, or any of them. It was on Salazar and his goons. Wakko wished he could believe that.

"It's cold out here," Dot muttered, drawing Wakko's attention. Her face was set in a frown, but he recognized it as one of her scared looks more than an angry one. He glanced around the darkened forest.

"Least there's not a lot of snow like last year," he said, kicking at a small dusting of white. "Then we'd be leaving tracks and probably digging most a' the way to Burbank."

A slight smile came to his face when that prompted a giggle from his sister, and an amused snort from Yakko.

"Well, with you along we'd probably get there just as fast," the eldest Warner said lightly. "Remember when ya dug out most of the neighborhood in one morning after that blizzard?"

Wakko's grin widened as he remembered that incident; maybe he couldn't fight Salazar, but he could still help people. And that much, he was glad to do… even if he wouldn't pass up an opportunity to whack that stupid wanker flat into the ground.

"Yeah," he replied. "But actually, it was kinda fun!"

He heard his siblings chuckle before Yakko gave his head a pat.

"You do know how t' make stuff fun, sib."

The middle sibling directed his grin at his brother, but before he could say anything his ears twitched. It was the barest hint of a sound, so quiet he wasn't sure he'd heard anything at all. But then Yakko came to an immediate stop, stiffening as his ears pricked.

"Yakko?" Dot asked softly. The eldest Warner raised a hand.

"Shh."

Wakko felt his heart pounding faster and faster as he listened, then it dropped. He picked up the sound of brush snapping under heavy footsteps, distant but coming closer and coming fast. He felt his older brother snatch his arm.

"Move!" he hissed.

The siblings broke into a run. Wakko tried to avoid stepping on brush and keep his heavy breathing as quiet as he could. He could tell their pursuer hadn't heard them yet, but he could also tell they didn't have much time before that happened. They had to find somewhere to hide, and fast.

The middle sibling's racing thoughts were interrupted when Yakko pulled his arm again.

"C'mon, this way."

He pulled the younger siblings toward a large tree nearby. When they reached it, he climbed over a knotted root and slipped down into a dip in the ground that had been invisible until now.

"Here," he urged, turning and holding out his arms again. "Jump down."

Wakko did so without question, knowing Dot was doing the same. Their older brother caught them, one in each arm, then shuffled deeper into the hollow and behind a large boulder jutting from the ground.

"Keep quiet, sibs," he whispered.

Giving a quick nod, the middle Warner took a deep but quiet breath as he tried to force his pounding heart under control. They hadn't left noticeable tracks, whoever was following hadn't seen or heard them, and this hollow was hard to see unless you knew it was here. And even if they were found, worse come to worse, all three kids knew how to handle themselves in a fight. If it was just one guy, like it sounded, they could beat him up good enough to make sure he wouldn't follow them the rest of the night.

The siblings remained huddled in their hiding place, listening close and tensed to spring at first notice. It felt like ages passed, though Wakko knew it was likely only minutes. There was no sound of the footsteps, only the quiet sound of wind in the bare tree branches, along with the occasional hooting of a distant owl. After a while, Wakko found himself starting to untense; maybe their luck was holding out after all.

Finally, Yakko slowly stood, but when his siblings began to do the same, he placed his hands on their shoulders to stop them.

"Hang on," he whispered. "You guys wait here, I'm gonna go take a look."

"Are you serious?" Dot hissed back. Even in a whisper, there was no mistaking she was mad. "No way we're gonna just sit here while…"

Yakko turned and lowered to one knee, both hands on her shoulders now. His voice was soft, but there was no mistaking the pleading in it.

"Please, sis. I need you guys to stay."

Wakko's eyes widened. The rare vulnerability in that voice was almost alien… he could only remember one other time he'd heard his brother talk like that. It was clearly obvious to Dot too, because the anger immediately left her face as her eyes went wide too. Slight guilt replaced it as she gave a small nod.

"Okay."

The eldest Warner smiled then, reassuring and confident as always.

"I'll just go look and come right back, I swear." He looked between her and Wakko. "Be ready to move, okay?"

Wakko nodded, knowing Dot was doing the same. Their older brother nodded in return, then rose to his feet again. Slowly, he moved toward the edge of the hollow, and Wakko found himself tensing again as an unbidden tremor of fear rose. It was as if some silent alarm in him was screaming "Danger!" The temptation to call for Yakko to stop was as strong as it was sudden, but Wakko held it back. He couldn't risk making noise, and his brother was smart. He knew when there was trouble, and he'd be careful enough.

The middle sibling watched, his heart pounding, as Yakko peeked out the edge of the hollow, hesitating as he scanned the woods. Then he carefully moved out further, still tense and alert. Wakko felt his heart pound even harder as his fear grew. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming… he couldn't say what, but not anything good. Should he call to his brother, go stop him?

Before he could decide, Yakko's tension eased a little and Wakko felt himself relax just a little. He still felt that unease, but if his brother didn't have reason to be scared, he didn't either… right? Yakko looked at him and Dot, lifting his hand to wave them over.

Wakko glanced at his sister, giving her a smile before taking her hand. But they had barely taken a step before a loud crack split the night air. Yakko's sharp cry somehow seemed even louder, and Wakko felt sick with terror as his brother collapsed. Without a second thought, he took off toward him with Dot running just as fast.

"Yakko!" she exclaimed as the younger siblings raced to his side. The eldest brother was slumped on his knees, one hand clutched to his side while the fingers of the other curled into the ground. His voice was strained and hoarse.

"Dot… Wakko… r-run, go," he grunted. "Don't… worry about me."

Wakko looked at Dot, then grabbed his brother's arm while Dot grabbed the other.

"We're not running anywhere without you!" she said harshly. Yakko finally lifted his head, his pained expression full of a desperate fear Wakko had never seen before.

"Sibs… please…"

"No!" Wakko interrupted. "All for one and one for all times three, remember?"

"I know I do!" Dot snapped. "Now stop talking crazy and get up!"

Apparently realizing there was no point arguing, Yakko sucked in a sharp breath and pushed himself up as both younger siblings helped.

Deep down, Wakko knew there was little chance of them shaking their pursuer, but that didn't matter. Whoever it was wasn't going to hurt his brother again… he wasn't going to hurt either of his siblings. The middle sibling had said he was going to be brave, and that was exactly what he would do.

I won't let them down.

/

New chapter to celebrate a momentous occasion... in another day's time, I will be on a plane to NYCC to meet Rob, Jess, and Tress in person! So excited and anxious not to gush like a complete idiot, especially in front of Rob, who is one of the people I respect most! I'll be posting pictures on my Tumblr account, aligustie, once I'm home, so check in this weekend if you want to see! Bless you, dear readers!