Redhawk Caldera Every single party needs a no-show

Ponyboy had followed along behind, disappointed that he hadn't been the one to find the nest and eggs first. The nest Bronte could have- but he wanted to know what lived in those eggs! So with the others, he raced back up toward the den, hoping that they'd find out, and that maybe his sister would allow him to open one of the eggs, just to see. 

Something lingered in the air around where their father lay, and he looked up to their mother to see first the pained expression she bore as she reached out to grab at Bronte. Ponyboy's ears fell back, and he proceeded forward, creeping, noticing a scent he neither knew nor liked. He shied sideways a few steps and let out a surprised puff of air when he saw his father lying there, noticing first just how still and limp he was, and then the way his fur seemed to have fallen flat against him. He dared to take one step closer, but he looked up with eyes wide when his mother explained that his father wasn't sick anymore. 

Hearing his mother, and her voice which held back infinite sorrow, Ponyboy didn't know what to do. "No, no," He said softly, and his lower lip began to tremble. "Mama, no," He pleaded, and choking back a breath he moved forward to press his temple into her side where could roar and scream and wail. 

It felt impossible. It felt wrong. He felt like any moment now, he should wake up from the dream and find that everything had gone back to normal- but every moment that passed secured this as the fate that had befallen the small family. 

He sobbed. "Mamaaa, please, please no?" He begged. "Pleeeease no, I don't wannnhim to be gone."