Lion Head Mesa I'm coming home again, all alone

The sound of his name forced his teeth to grit together. Belen did not respond with the same care as she might have, had he kept his mouth shut.

There was space between them. Belen looked to him, the sound of her cry hanging on her words. Crowfeather burned with shame. He’d hurt her. He’d hurt her… She had not deserved it and he forced his sadness upon her without consideration.

What could Belen do to help? They could not hide away his hurt beneath their paws. There was no game that could fix the ache inside him. The shadow did not know what answer he could offer her that would erase his outburst or the meanness he had physically shown.

I…

Crowfeather could not even look at her.

I… want to die.

Crowfeather only hated himself.