Secrets

Chapter 25

The scene was still the same as it was before Gidget had shut her eyes. The pond, the trees surrounding it. All the same. "What?" the Pomeranian asked. Placing a paw over her mouth, Max quietly pointed down the hill towards the trees that circled the small pond. Squinting, Gidget couldn't see anything. But then she saw something move. A moment later, a lone figure stepped out into the open.

Both Gidget and Max could barely recognize Tiberius as he made his way over to the pond. The old hawk's feathers were a little dull and matted. His eyes were bloodshot from lack of sleep and he looked like he was gonna collapse at any second from exhaustion. Reaching the edge of the pond, he just stood there. Gidget and Max shared a sideways glance of confusion.

Suddenly, Tiberius lunged forward at the water, his head submerging. Resurfacing, he held a small fish in his beak. Quickly, he carried it away from the water before he could lose it. "Nice catch," Max murmured as he and Gidget watched the old hawk walk back the way he came. Bewildered, Gidget pointed out, "He didn't eat it."

"Yeah, I noticed. And wondered about it too," Max mumbled.

"I'm following him," Gidget declared quietly. She was about to head down the hill but Max stopped her. "I know you want to go after him but think for a second. Based on his current state, I don't think he's gonna be exactly friendly at the moment. We need a plan of action first," the terrier explained. Sighing, Gidget looked over at the trees before looking up at Max again. She softly murmured, "Alright."