36 Off to Their New Home

Luke was at home reading a book when his phone went off making him jump. "Goddammit! Who is messaging me on my day off?!" He pulls out his phone and checks the message. 'Ahhhhhh, I take what I said back I would never get mad at Leo. I won't pry on who he will be bringing. I'll find out soon enough.' ~Roger that.~

He closes his phone and puts it away. 'He is a good kid. He is going to be surprised he finds out that that I am going to be a father. Maybe it'll be a good life experience for him to meet someone who is in the same boat as him. I don't even think he even remembers his parents anymore.' He puffs on the cigar.

Julie grabs one of the bags and waits for Grant. "This is the bag for Cindy right, dear?"

Grant puts the rest in a different bag. "Yes, that is for Cindy as well as this." He hands her a thermos of coffee. "I will grab the rest of the items and we shall head out." He picks up two more bags and walks towards the door with the rest of the food and drinks. "This will be the last time we get to see our clan leader. We should try to ease her mind and send her off with a smile. Our days may be numbered but at least we can spend them peacefully together."

"Yes, you are quite right. I am grateful that at least at the end we will be together, my love." She had taken the thermos from him and started to follow him out of the room. She looked around and smiled to herself. 'Trying to stay calm is going to be hard. Kitty's emotions are going to hit a soft spot in each of our hearts.' The couple walks out to the van and they see that it is just Cindy at the van. "Cindy, here is the food and coffee for the trip. Where is everyone? I thought you guys were leaving soon?"

"Thank you. I believe we will be leaving as soon as Kitty gets back. She went inside a little while ago." Cindy takes the food and drink. "I am looking forward to exploring more of this world. I just wish it was under better circumstances." She has a slightly bitter expression on her face.

Kitty walks past the bathrooms and walks around the building. 'If I am to never come back I at least want to get one more look around this building.' She looks at the details everywhere and smiles dolorously. She finally heads to the bathroom and heads back outside. Getting back to the van she sees that everyone has gathered. 'It's finally time to say goodbye. As much as this pains me to do so. I have to do it.' Her expression is slightly acrimonious. "Sorry, for the wait. I walked around a little before coming back. Julie and Grant thank you for everything that you have done for us. You two will forever live on in the hearts of those you have touched. I am going to explain to Leo on the drive home what is going to happen. I know that you are both probably worried about it but I will not be alone. I will leave the town in your care." She bows then slowly turns towards Leo.

He put out the cigar, then walked over. "Thank you for lunch. I will get us safely to the location and be back in roughly two and a half days." He took the bags from Grant and put them in the van. Then hugged Kitty from behind. While hugging her he whispered in her ear, "say your goodbyes and hug them. I will wait for you in the van." He lets her go and gets into the van.

Julie approaches Kitty and gives her a hug. "Be safe and stronger for yourself but also for the baby. Please, eat lots of healthy food. You are the most important person for each one of us. I will never forget what you did for me. Remember what I said before, even if my body fades I will still live on in your heart." Julie stops hugging Kitty and walks to the left of Kitty.

Grant walks up and hugs Kitty next. "You are the best clan leader we've ever had yet. You remind me of your parents. They were both very strong and exceptionally compassionate. This old man is honored to be of some use to you at the end of his life. I will be with you after I pass. Anyone of us alive would choose to protect you. So do not blame yourself for the losses. We would all die happily for you." Grant lets her go. "Now go on and get out of here." He moved beside Julie.

Cindy walked up to the couple. "I will miss both of you. Thank you for all the guidance you both have given me over the years." Cindy starts to cry a little. "I-I will never forget either of you." She gives them a hug. "I will go to the truck and follow behind you guys." She carries her food and drink to the truck and gets in.

Kitty watches everything trying to not cry, then turns towards the van and gets in. 'I really am going to miss it here.' She feels the van starts up and she rolls down the window and waves goodbye to Julie and Grant.

Leo drives the van away. "Do you want to talk or would you like to sleep for a bit?" He says when the window gets closed. 'I will let her choose what she wants to do.'

"I think I've napped enough." Kitty pulls out the tasty little treats from the initial bag that Leo brought. She pulls out a bite-size cheesecake and eats it. Once she was done eating the cheesecake so closes the box up. "Leo, you have to promise me something before I tell you everything. You must promise that you will return here after you drop us off at your place." She looks in the rearview mirror.

He listens to her and looks at her in the rearview mirror. "Why do I get the feeling that I am not going to like this? I promise you that I will come back. I will not risk you and the baby's safety just because I am upset over what you tell me." He vows this to her and watches her relax in the mirror. He goes back to concentrating on the road.

"Thank you." She lets out a light sigh, "this is going to come as a surprise to you but the fox demons are interconnected. When a fox demon dies the clan leader feels the loss of the soul. So when Julie and Grant pass I will suffer greatly. I do not know exactly how many will stay in the town but I estimate that at least six that won't leave. It will be a catastrophic loss but at least it is not everyone." She reverses the transformation. "I will have Cindy with me. So, I want you to focus on the task that you have to do."

His hands tighten on the steering wheel. 'No wonder she asked me to promise her. She knew I wouldn't want to leave.' He takes a few deep breaths to calm himself. "Will it be very painful? I will not break my promise with you but I worry about you and our child."