After I left Emma at her house, I decided to wander in town to look for a job. The sun is still up, still in the afternoon.

Honestly I'm glad that Ben agreed that we would stay in Southport and not travel from place to place anymore.

Of course, I can tell that Ben is still not thinking about trusting Emma and her friend April. I mean, come one how can you not trust them?

They seem nice, especially Emma, and a part of me really appreciated them that they found out where we lived in the woods and know who we really are.

They weren't afraid of Ben at all. In particular because me and Ben are heroes during the night. And we saved Emma from being raped.

They even said that we were heroes and no one that we've saved ever had a chance to say that to us. We always left before they could find us. Well me and Ben would always make sure of that.

But usually I think we should get a thank you every now and then. But at least for once in our life, we had one. And it came from Emma and April.

I'm so happy that Emma and April found us and I'm so happy that gave me an excuse to stay here in Southport and start a new life. The only problem is, Ben can't come into town because of who he is. He would have to start a new life here in a different way than I'm doing.

Ben does still seem nervous about it and hell he's grumbling under his breath about it. But he just needs to get used to this. Get used to Emma and April. He just needs to get to know them. Well I need to get to know them too.

Well the best part about me is that I have a house to rent to, now I just need to find a job. So here I am now, after leaving Emma I'm wondering in town looking for a job.

I went inside one store already to apply for a job. It was a restaurant here in town. Seafood restaurant to be exact and they said they weren't hiring. Which that sucks.

I wondered around on the docks, thinking that maybe I could get a job, cutting up fish there. Which it seems like an easy gig, how hard can it be?

I went to the workshop there and I could tell that the place looked closed. The door had a closed sign on there.

Since I was a little desperate I knocked on the door, hoping that someone was in there. And someone is still there because a person answered the door.

It was an old man with a big white beard and he had a curious look on his face, "What do you want? We're closed, come back tomorrow."

I answered, "I know, but you see I'm looking for a job here in Southport."

He tilted his head, "Ah, can't find a job here in town eh?"

I nodded, "Yes, look I already asked around and so far I only found one restaurant and they said they weren't hiring anymore. I already looked around the WHOLE town and no other stores and restaurant are hiring."

I shrugged, "So I've decided to try to find work here, cutting up fish. Are you hiring?"

The old man nodded and smiled, "Oh sure! You can come work here."

I beamed at him, "Really? That's great!"

The old man said, "Can you come work here tomorrow, in the afternoon?"

I asked, "Do I have to work nights here?" The only reason why I've asked, is because I fight crime during the night remember? Lets hope he says no.

The old man shook his head, "No, you just have to work a few hours in the afternoon here. About five to be exact, that sound good? You get paid eleven dollars per hour."

I nodded, "No problem."

The old man smiled and reached out a hand for me to shake, "I'm always looking forward for having good help here. My name's Boris."

I reached my hand out and shook his hand. I said my fake name to him, "Jonas."

The old man nodded and let go of my hand, "Jonas eh? Well Jonas, I'll see you tomorrow."

I smiled at him, "Ok sounds good." Then I backed away from him and waved at him, "See you around." Then I whirled around and left him.

I still had a big smile on my face.

Alright, I finally have a job! Now I think I'm set! At least I can pay the rent.

*****

It was night in the woods, and I'm just tumbling around on the cave floor. Trying to get some shut eye. This is the second night without Jason here with me.

I groaned and opened my eyes. I sighed and raised my head off the ground. I can't freakin sleep. I stared outside the cave looking up at the stars and the full moon.

I sighed again. What am I doing? I'm staying here because of Jason, but I still think we should have left.

I should have convinced him harder that we should leave, but we still would have argued.

I mean, he does have a point. He was tired of travelling and moving from place to place. And hell, not to mention he sometimes hates having to talk to me alone all the damn time without anyone else to talk to. Maybe he's right, maybe I am a paranoid selfish bastard.

But the only reason is because I'm trying to protect him. Don't I have a right to do so? I mean, give me a break.

I grumbled under my breath in frustration. God I wish I could forget that night, six years ago. Those people really wanted to kill me and Jason. But I'm still wondering why? Because I look like a monster, I'm sure that's why they would want to kill me. But why try to kill Jason?

I unsheathed my claws and dug them into the floor cave. Making small cuts into the stone. I want to protect Jason, what if there were more of them? What if they are still after us? What if they succeed in killing Jason? The only family I have left.

He's like a nephew to me, and I can't just sleep. I want to be with him.

I'm want to keep that promise to Alan and Cassandra. I promised to them up in heaven after they died that I would protect him.

I got up on all fours. I can't sleep, I need to check on Jason. He's got to be in that town somewhere. I took slow strides outside and looked up in the sky again.

I sighed once more. Well here I go.

I started to flap my wings and took to the skies. Flying high over the woods and in the distance away from the woods, I could see the lights from that town up ahead.

As I flew over the woods, I thought about where Jason could be at.

I know that I should only go to town just to save people and what not, but I need to find out where he's at.

Now where could he be in that town?

Where?

*****

I was still up in my bedroom, just laying on my stomach on my bed, reading a magazine.

I was still in surprise and shock about me and April meeting Ben for the first time in the woods. Not to mention meeting Jonas, who's real name is actually Jason Morgan.

I sighed when I thought about him. Poor guy and that poor gryphon that he's with. Both of them appeared to have been through a lot. They've traveled from place to place, never had a home.

Well they must have had a home before, but now they don't anymore. Why? What made them leave their home?

Jason and Ben had those glum looks like something has happened to them. Like something VERY TERRIBLE happened to them.

What happened to Jason's family? Did he even had a family? A mom and dad? A brother or sister? Anyone? And how did he meet Ben?

Speaking of which, where did Ben come from? How does he even exist? I thought gryphons are just fairytales or something.

How could he exist?

Maybe I'll ask Jason those questions one day. But he seems hesitant about it. Mostly when it comes to questions about his past.

I hope he'll be okay from now on. He became a thief more than once according to him. But he'll find a job here and he won't be anymore.

I just hope my dad, who's the freakin sheriff won't find out somehow, one day that Jason's the thief. Then that would be a disaster.

Father would never understand him. All he gives a damn about is his job and the damn law.

I mean come one, Jason's not the bad guy. He was just hungry.

Hell Jason and Ben are heroes. Only dad met Jason, who he knows as Jonas. That's all. Of course if dad met Ben, he would probably shoot him down from the sky. Only to think Ben's the monster.

But Ben's not a monster. He's just a big show offy bird, who thinks he's handsome all the time.

I giggled at myself. Well I'll admit, he is handsome I'll give him that. I sighed to myself.

Jason seems handsome as well. I wonder...

That's when I heard a knock on my bedroom door and I hollered, "It's open."

Dad opened the door and came through it. He grinned at me, "Hey Emma. You didn't finish dinner."

I shrugged and rolled over on the bed and sat down on it, "I wasn't too hungry."

Dad frowned at me, "Is everything alright? You were acting like you've saw something special today."

I nodded and just played it cool, "Yeah I'm fine. I just...Had a great day today."

Dad then had a suspicious look, "Really? Two nights ago, you were almost raped and now you...Fine? I didn't think you would let it go that easily."

I shrugged, "Probably because the assholes who tried to do that to me are in jail now. So I feel safe, right?"

Dad then giggled, "Good point. But you should know that there are more of those people out there in the world."

I nodded, "Well THOSE rapists are gone now. So..."

He held up a hand, "Yeah, I know I get it." Then he gave me a serious look, "Just remember the stun gun I gave you. Keep it with you from now on."

I let out a frustrated sigh, "Dad, I'll be fine. I...Just need to go to bed."

Dad then nodded, "Well alright." He was about to leave, but then a thought came to him, "Oh by the way, have you seen that hitchhiker today, Jonas?"

I nodded, "Yeah I've seen him today, why?"

Dad said, "Because I heard from one of my officers that she has Jonas staying at her house. Officer Lancaster."

I smiled at him, "Brooke? I thought she arrested him?"

Dad shrugged, "I guess she wanted to make it up to him. She does have a heart after all. Of course, I don't trust him. He could still be the thief from the gas station."

I rolled my eyes, "Dad I've told you before, he's not a thief. You never had proof that he did it."

Dad then narrowed his yes, "We'll see if he is or not. Because even guys like him can be liars. he could even lie about his name, since he doesn't have any ID."

That really hit close to home to me. He doesn't even know Jason. I wish I've screamed at him and say that he was the one who saved my life. But I'm afraid if I did, then dad would question him and then...I don't know somehow, he might find out about Ben.

I don't want to take that risk.

I shrugged and said, "Whatever dad, I'm going t sleep now. Goodnight."

Then he came over and kissed my forehead and he smiled at me. Then he whirled around and went out of my room. Leaving me alone.

I sighed after her left.

I probably should have told him the truth. But he's so overprotective of me, remember? He would tell Ben and Jason to leave and never come back to town. Or probably just shoot Ben and then tell Jason to leave.

I can't do that. I won't.

Jason and Ben are heroes to me and I'll keep their secret.

Maybe keep the secret to my grave.

But I'll admit, Officer Lancaster seemed pretty nice of letting Jason stay with her and her husband.

I wonder how's it going? I'll have to ask him that if I see him.

But for now, I'm going to bed, so I can go to work tomorrow. I threw the magazine back in the drawer and then I put on my pajamas. After I was done doing that, I went into bed and turned off my lamp. Putting my room in darkness.

I laid my head on my pillow and closed my eyes to go to sleep.

*****

I was just sleeping in my bedroom at Brooke's house. Pretty much still excited for my first day on my new job tomorrow.

I've never worked in a fish workshop before. This is my first time in my life doing that.

I remember stories from grandpa George, that one of my ancestors was like a sailor. Travelling over the waters to others places in the world. I even feel like I'm a sailor now.

Funny when I think about it, when I'm working on a job that has something do to with fish, I think I'm a sailor.

Hell now that I really think about it, a few times I wonder if me and Ben would fly over the ocean and just go wherever we want.

When I was little I always wanted to go to....London. Yeah, I always wanted to go there. To see the clock tower, Big Ben.

Big Ben? Oh boy, if my Ben found out that a clock tower is named Big Ben, he would laugh. I don't even know if he knows that exists.

Or does he?

Oh I don't know. I'll ask him about it later. Hell of all the times I've been with him for years, I never thought about asking him that. Probably because it never came up.

I was about to be in a VERY deep sleep when I heard someone pounding on my bedroom window. Since I'm on the first floor, someone could come see me through the window and knock on the window if they have to.

I opened my eyes and sat up in bed. My eyes blinking just to wake myself up. I yawned, and then I heard the knock again, only a bit louder.

I looked at the window while I was sitting in bed. I can't see the person from right here. I sighed and groaned a bit as I got off the bed.

The floor felt kinda cool for my feet, as I stepped on the hardwood floor. I walked to the window after I got out of bed.

I peeked through the window and my eyes went wide when I saw Ben outside, sitting on his haunches knocking on the window!

Ben?! What the hell is he doing here?!

People might see him if he stands out there.

I unlocked and opened up the window and some fresh air came through it. I glared at him and I whispered, "Ben, what are you doing here?"

All he did was stare at me. Not saying a word.

I shrugged and asked again, "Well?"

Ben took a deep breath and he said, "I need to talk to you."

I frowned, "About what?"

Ben sighed and he said, "Jason...I want you to come back to the cave with me."

I just stared at him, "What?"

"I want you to come back to the cave with me. I don't think this is safe."

I let out a frustrated sigh and held out my hand to try to calm him down, "Look Ben, we've already been though this today. I want to start a new life here and right now you're kinda ruining it."

Ben narrowed his eyes and whispered, "How am I ruining it?"

I whispered furiously, "Because you're standing outside the damn window, knocking on it waking me up and you're taking a risk of getting spotted talking to me right now."

Ben only shrugged, "I honestly don't give a shit right now."

I narrowed my eyes at him, "How did you find me anyway?"

Ben answered, "Well...I flew here from the woods, thinking about you. I looked through every window of every house here, trying to find you. Until finally I could see you through this one and I started to knock on it."

My eyes went wide with shock. Jesus Ben! Peeping though people's windows to find me! That's WAY too risky!

I glared at him and asked incredulously, "Are you crazy Ben? I mean has the woods make you go crazy now? What the hell's the matter with you?"

Ben looked down in shame and said, "I can't sleep kid. I...I wanted to make sure you're okay."

That's when I started to feel a little guilty for being angry at him. He's...Worried about me still.

I sighed and closed my eyes, "Ben...I can't keep this up anymore. I want to live a new life, and I've told you if I want to fight crime, I'll find you. Besides that I found a job I could work at and I need some sleep."

Ben looked at me and said, "But even when you say you're fine, I'm still worried about you. I...I don't want to lose you." I opened my eyes and then he leaned his forward and nuzzled his beak against my chest, "If something happened to you, I don't know what I would do."

Ben sighed and said, "Look I know you kid, you want a life. But what about me? I don't want to be alone forever."

I gave him a comforting smile and he pulled himself away and only had his head still at my level. I said, "Ben...You won't be alone forever. When I'm not working, I would visit you. I could bring Emma with me if you want. Just so you would get to know her."

Ben shook his head, "I still don't trust her."

I nodded, "I know that. But one day you will. You have to give Emma and her friend a chance. Because I trust them."

Ben said, "But they're not YOU. That's the problem. You're the only family I have left." Ben sighed again and said, "They're not your mother and father, and they're not your grandpa. They're not my family and I don't know them."

I let out a sigh and I reached out to touch his face, "Listen Ben, you're just suffering from separation anxiety, that's why you're like this. You're just not used to this, that's all. Look I have left you alone before, so I could sleep in a hotel a time or two."

Ben looked at me while I was petting him, "This is different and we both know that."

I nodded, "And I don't blame you for thinking that way. You're just like a parent seeing his child going away to college and you feel sad about it."

I sighed again, "Listen Ben, you have a life as well. Al least embrace it. Don't worry about me so much, I'll be fine. Nobodies going to kill me."

Ben nodded, "That's what I'm worried about.  That's the only thing I'm worried about."

I shook my head, "Those people are not going to find us, big guy." Then I let my arm fall to my side and went on, "They haven't for years. I don't think for a fact that they're more of them out there. So I think we're safe."

Ben asked, "So you think I should just let it go?"

I said, "No one said it would be easy. But I'm willing to try. I was afraid for six years, but I'm not anymore. I want to try. I want to take the first step." Then I smiled at him, "And you should take the first step as well."

That's when an idea popped up in my head, "I have an idea. So that way you won't feel alone anymore."

Ben frowned at me, "What is it, Jason?"

"Go find April's house. She lives outside of town, remember? She lives on a farm. She'll keep you company. Since I'll be staying in town during the day, working. She'll keep you company somehow." That's when another thought popped up, "Well she might have a job as well, but at least she lives in the woods. Not in town."

Ben groaned and shook his head, "I don't trust her, Jason."

I said, "That's your first step in all this, trusting someone else other than me. Just like you've trusted grandpa, and like mom and dad. I'm sure she's nice, she'll be with you."

I grinned at him, "And I promise you, I'll visit you whenever I get the chance, ok?"

Ben looked at me for a few moments, raised his head and finally sighed, "Where outside of town is she staying at?"

I answered, "Just northwest outside of town. You just have to fly over that area and you can't miss it. I'm sure anyways."

Ben said, "Alright, I'll go to her. But I'm only doing this for YOU."

I shrugged, "That's fine." Then I had a concerned look on my face, "Are you going to be okay?"

Ben glanced up at the sky for a moment. Then he looked down and nodded slowly, "I guess so. At least I have the satisfaction that you're safe and warm in a house."

I giggled a bit, "What you think I was in a prison here? No way, big guy."

Ben for the first time since he came here grinned at me, "If anyone put you in prison, I would tear their hides out." Then he giggled as well.

That's when I asked, "So are we cool now?" He nodded and then I pointed out the window, "Good, now get the hell out of here before someone sees you."

Ben nodded and whirled around and looked over his shoulder and said to me, "Goodnight kiddo."

I smiled at him and nodded, "You too big guy."

Then Ben flapped his wings and took off to the sky. I watched him fly away, until he was out of sight.

I backed away from the window and closed it. I sighed in relief. Well that was too close. Someone could have seen him.

Well at least it was the middle of the night. I looked at the clock and it said eleven thirty. I yawned once more.

Well time to get some shut eye. I have a job to get to tomorrow.

*****

I flew to April's house, after I've talked to Jason. Down below the ground over the woods, I could see a white house. That must be it.

I started to glide down to the ground and when I got close, I landed on my hind feet first and then my front feet. I trotted to a stop.

I looked around the area and saw that the house also has a barn here as well. The white house has about tow floors, several windows. I even see her car in the driveway. It's a blue convertible.

I grinned at it. Nice ride April. I shook my head and thought about April. I sighed to myself. Okay, better get this over with.

I walked up to the house and I could see that a light is still on in the house. Maybe it's April's bedroom.

I walked up to the window and peeked through it. I could see April sitting on her bed in her night clothes, reading a book. She's even wearing glasses.

I sat down on my haunches and raised my paw and started to knock on her window. Just for the record if you're wondering, I don't do THIS for a living.

I stopped knocking when April heard me. She looked and saw me through it. Her eyes went wide and she got up from her bed.

She opened up the window and peeked out and frowned at me, "Ben? What are you doing here?"

I shrugged and said, "Just trying to get to know you?"

April just stared at me and giggled, "What by peeping through my window, like a peeping Tom?"

I glared at her, "I'm not a peeping Tom."

April just waved me off, "Oh relax I'm kidding around."

I rolled my eyes at her, "If you say so."

Then she gave me a curious look, "So what do you want? It's kinda late."

I sighed and closed my eyes, "I...I feel alone." Then I opened my eyes and narrowed my eyes at her, "And I'm afraid to admit it to you."

April gave me a comforting smile, "Well is it because Jason wants to live in town without you?"

I nodded, "Kind of. But I'm worried about him as well. He's like a nephew to me."

April frowned at me, "You know ever since me and Emma met you guys today, you're acting like you two have REALLY been through so much. Like something really bad happened."

I looked down in sadness, I only muttered, "Maybe."

April smiled at me again, "Do you...Want to stay here with me?"

I looked at her all shocked and she laughed, "Well I can't let you in my house. you're too big to fit in here."

I grinned at her, "Or maybe because you're boyfriend would get mad that a handsome gryphon like me would come into your bedroom."

I saw April's cheeks turn red with embarassment and she muttered, "I don't have a boyfriend."

I laughed and said, "Why? A beautiful lady like you don't have a boyfriend?" I shook my head, "I doubt it."

April with her eyes wide and her cheeks still red muttered, "You know you're making my head turn into a tomato."

I laughed harder that time and I tried to hold my ribs with my paw, "Oh god, girl."

April shot a glare at me and said, "I've told you today to NOT call me girl."

I cocked my head at her when I was done laughing, "Well are you a girl?"

April then threatened, "Don't make me pull a feather off of you right now."

I stopped joking and said, "So...Can I stay here with you? So that way I can sleep peacefully. So I won't feel alone. Jason told me to get used to you and Emma. And that's the first step for me to live a life out here."

April softened her look and smiled, "Stay here, I'll be outside in a sec." Then she left the window and I saw her go out through her bedroom door.

I waited for her and finally saw her coming outside on her yard. Walking up to me. She said to herself, "Brrr, kinda cold out here." She rubbed her arms with her hands.

I grinned at her, 'Well I don't feel that way. My feathers and my fur on my body always do keep me warm."

She shot a annoyed look at me, "Show off."

I shot up my head and said, "Don't care."

April then beckoned me to follow her, "Follow me to that barn over there." Then I followed up behind her to that barn nearby.

Me and April went inside the barn together and she pointed at a spot on the floor, "You can sleep in here. Do you need a blanket?"

I shook my head and laid down on the floor on my stomach, "I don't need one."

April nodded, "Ok, well I live alone in my house, so you don't have to worry about anyone else living there. If you need anything, knock on my window. But I'm going to go to work tomorrow. Can I leave you some food out here?"

I shook my head, "No, I know how to hunt. I'll hunt tomorrow."

April then smiled, "Well goodnight then." She waved and whirled around on me.

Before she could leave, I narrowed my eyes at her and said, "Just remember, I still don't trust you. Don't think I REALLY trust you right away. I just have to used to you."

April looked over her shoulder and said, "That's fine. These things take time. I'm sure I'll come around."

I said, "And if you try to HURT me in my sleep or anything like that, I will defend myself."

She whirled around and asked, "You really don't trust strangers, do you?"

I said, "Only because several strangers tried to kill me years ago. That's the ONLY reason."

April smiled and walked up to me. To reach out to touch my feathers. My eyes went wide and she giggled, "Your feathers are soft."

I just looked away sadly and muttered, "Thank you."

April backed away and saw my look. She had a concerned look and asked, 'What's wrong?"

I sighed, "Someone...Said that to me before. That my feathers feel soft. Someone...Like you."

April then had a pity look and said, "You...Cared about someone, did you? Other than Jason, there was someone else."

I shut my eyes tight, "You can say that."

April didn't press me anymore and she backed away from me some more, "Look I'm going to go now, I'm tired. I hope you have a goodnight." She gave me a smile and whirled around and left.

After she left I opened my eyes, tears falling down my face. Getting my feathers wet and I sadly muttered, "Cassandra."

Then I started to sob and I buried my face in my paws.

I'm sorry Cassandra. I'm sorry Alan. I wish I did save you two. So Jason wouldn't be alone.

And I'm sorry for you most of all...Cassandra.

I'm sorry, I didn't save you the most. I wasn't there when...IT happened.

I'm sorry, Cassandra. I'm so sorry.

I continued to sob in my paws. Letting those memories that I had with Jason and his family, mostly with Cassandra flooded through my mind.

*****

It's nighttime in New York City, rain falling down hard in the streets and over the skyline.

One man in particular is sitting at his desk, in the very tall building of a big corporation. Just typing on the computer. The man is the owner of Brewer Technologies.

The owner has thick brown hair and he's wearing a grey suit with a red tie.

While he was looking at his computer screen, he heard the buzzer through his phone. It was his secretary trying to talk to him. He answered his phone, put the receiver to his ear and said, "Yes?"

The female secretary said, "Excuse me sir. But one of your men wants to speak to you immediately. He said it's important."

The owner said, "Alright send him in here." Then he hung up the phone.

About a minute later, one of his men came into his office and he had a excited look on his face, "Sir!"

The owner groaned when he saw him, "For Christ sake, now what?" Then the owner got up from his chair.

His man came up to him and he had a newspaper clipping in his hand. He showed it to him, "Sir, it's about the kid and his friend."

The owner frowned at him, "What are you talking about?"

The man shoved the newspaper at his chest and urged, "Just look sir!"

The owner sighed and grabbed the newspaper and started to read it. It's an article about a high school bus full of high school basketball players was saved by...A big four legged creature with wings and a human with a ski mask who was helping it.

The owner's eyes went wide and he asked the man who showed him this, "When did THIS happen?"

The guy who works for him said, "About two weeks ago sir. I thought they were dead, but they're not! They're still alive!. My buddy faxed this to me and he said they were in North Carolina when it happened."

The owner glared at him and asked, "Are you sure it's Cassandra and Alan Morgan's kid? Are you sure it's the gryphon?"

The who worked for him nodded, "Yes sir. It seems accurate to me. They haven't resurfaced since maybe...Four years ago. Me and the boys thought they were dead, off the face of the earth."

The owner shouted real loud, "AND YOU'RE NOW SHOWING ME THIS NOW!? AND THAT HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO?! ARE YOU AN IDIOT?! YOU JUST HAD TO WAIT TWO WEEKS TO SHOW ME THIS?!"

The guy who worked for him raised his hands in defense, "My buddy wasn't sure about this before, but now he is. They're in North Carolina sir."

The owner took a deep breath and grinned at the guy who worked for him, "Thank you." Then he pointed the door to his office and said, "Now get out of my office."

The guy who worked for him nodded, "Yes sir." Then he whirled around and left the owner alone.

The owner looked at the headline of the newspaper and smiled deviously, "I knew you were alive. I knew you two are still out there. Now where are you in North Carolina?"