Scratch and his friends continued on their journey to the tower. An eerie silence grew from the pack as none of them spoke, especially Thunderbolt.

  Scratch still carried his concern for him, he looked over his shoulder to see Thunderbolt falling behind the group, his head still hung low....he appeared to be lost in thought with those eyes staring blankly at the ground.

  Scratch told Howl to stay with Shadow, before falling behind to meet Thunderbolt's level. "Thunder...is everything alright?"

  Of course his friend didn't respond.

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  Scratch sighed, he made another attempt to get him to speak. "Look, whatever it was you saw....we can talk about it, you know?"

  After a long pause, his friend finally spoke. "I don't think so....."

  Scratch was taken aback. "Wh- what do you mean?"

  "Talking about it won't help, the damage is already done! Now if you will, I wish to be left alone." Thunderbolt said sternly.

  Scratch didn't say another word, he didn't want to leave his friend feeling helpless but, he had to respect his wishes.

  Scratch caught back up to Shadow and Howl. His blond coated friend looked at him with concern in his eyes. "How's he holding up?"

  Scratch shook his head. "Not good." Changing the subject, he looked at Shadow. "How much farther?"

  "We'll be there when the sun begins to set."