Sun Mote Copse They will feign an expression of sadness

Bronco's head lifted slightly when he finally heard someone approached the den and saw their shadow lean into the entrance, but as soon as he realized who it was, he sank back to the ground and heaved a reluctant sigh. Great- his Mom was home, and she was probably going to preach to him. Then again- he had wanted to snitch on Elfie...It would feel so good to do it- but he wanted attention, so when she playfully interrogated him, he didn't answer for a moment. 

The real truth was that he was honestly hurting. He wasn't pretending just so he could get his Mom's sympathy, though he did want it. He was a bit ruffled at her question, though, and some of his bitterness from earlier was still eating away at him. He lifted his head and looked at her with a troubled gaze, and hoarsely whispered, with trembling lips. 

"Dad's dead, Mom." He said.