Twisted Slough Into terror, into valor

Gannet gave him support, and that was something he didn't expect after all that he'd said and all they'd both been through. Not even his littermates gave him that — the benefit of the doubt — although Towhee tried to, he couldn't shake the feeling she was just trying to make life on the plateau easier. A part of him would always doubt his siblings, just as they doubted him. But not Gannet; even while he pledged himself to the enemy, he was on Screech's side. That had to count for something.

Screech felt a nervous little smile creep across his face, but he returned the affection - briefly - with a touch of his nose to his brother's scruff, and then turned and headed back through the bog towards home.