Never Too Late REWRITE

Recognition

Cassius was relieved when the officer came to release him. The door unlocked with a resounding KLUNK, and it opened wide for a now-liberated Cassius to taste his freedom once again. The officer charged with the responsibility of escorting the wolf out the front door gave him a polite, apologetic nod before showing him the way out.

He recognised the way out already; Cassius only wanted to make sure he maintained the courteous image he was always known for, even if it was all a facade to hide the seething happening underneath. Officer Koenig, the officer who booked him in, gave a similar nod as they passed one another.

Even though you weren't pointed out as the culprit, you're still a suspect, Koenig's expression seemed to read.

That's fine, Cassius replied with his own, just as long as you get the guy who did it.

We will, whoever it is.

~~~

Briggan waited in front of the precinct, telling Cicaro to take Mastavian home. When both voiced their dissent over the decision, the wolf chastised them for their lack of trust in him. Unwilling to endure the rebuking any more than they had to, Ci and Mastace went home and left Briggan to wait for whatever it was he was looking for.

Soon enough, the door opened and out stepped a midnight black wolf with a familiar change of clothing. Those are Abaddon's clothes, alright. But... Briggan was not immediately visible to the other wolf but could fully view him. The black wolf looked about for a short period, then began walking around. Briggan followed as the broader wolf made his way through town and began down a much more familiar path to Briggan.

The wolf led Briggan through the familiar streets of his neighbourhood, albeit on a different side. He knew every house, who lived within and all the street names by heart. He was so familiar with this area that he knew exactly how to get home and his long it would take him, which wasn't that long at all.

What the hell are you up to?

~~~

Cassius looked up at the ramshackle home, his brows furrowed in bewildered melancholy. How had the house he lived in just the other day gotten so far out of hand with disrepair? There just wasn't any possible justification he could think of that could explain away what he was looking at. The only thing that made any resemblance of sense was that the officer was right and that four years had passed since he lost consciousness.

How the fuck...? Cassius wavered on his footing a moment, nearly falling over in his shock.

It seemed like just yesterday that he and Briggan made regular trips to various stores in the town square for a day of fun. The pup had been so overwrought with anxiety as of late Cassius decided he needed a break. The goofy smile and lustrous shine in Briggan's eyes made his heart melt. Those were the memories Cassius held dearest and vowed to himself that he would protect.

Wait a second... Where is Briggan? If he's struggling, shouldn't I be there to help him? Whipping himself around, Cassius suddenly found himself being stared down by a much younger wolf. A gleaming sterling coat waved about in the passing breeze complimented an icy gaze with blue eyes so deep they could easily be mistaken as black. He wore a maroon long-sleeve tee and black denim skinny jeans with a tear at his left knee. His cold expression was just enough to get him to halt.

"Woah there, sor- Wait..." Cassius gasped.

"It's been a while, Cassius. Long time no see."