in this world it's hard to get it right.

When Finley caught sight of him, Elwood felt as though he was looking into a mirror. Her face appeared just as panic-stricken as he felt, and through the palpable tension, he continued to reverse. His paws moved backward until she spoke, calling out to him uncertainly. It was odd to hear her call him "El" -- more often than not, she resorted to the nickname she had given him so long ago.

He halted, his ears unfolding as she spoke four words. "I'm really fucking stupid." Her eloquence would have brought a smile to his face, had there not been so many other emotions vying for the spotlight. Instead, he chewed nervously on his lower lip, his gaze darting from Finley's crumpled form to the gurgling creek next to her and back again.

Finally, after a silence that seemed to last eons, he cleared his throat and replied. "Me too," he said, his voice hoarse. At least there was one thing they could agree on; it was a start.