The Redbird's story.

Matt and Tyler walked in the barn.

"I swear Tally, we trun up every haystck till we find you!" Matt said.

Elliot heard Matt coming too. She sunk down in the haystack she was in, silent tears streaming down her face.

"No, daddy, no!" Tally yelled running up to him and hugging his legs. "The monsters will get you!"

She was tring to help Ellot stay hidden.

Elliot silently thanked Tally, trying to keep silent though she was still crying.

The three left.

Elliot realized she was alone, and allowed herself to cry freely, not caring if she was loud. She was buried deep in the hay now, sobbing as her shoulders shook.

'I don't want to go.....' she thought.

Elliot stood up and looked outside some time later. It was dark, the moon high in the sky. She sat up, pulling the hay out of her hair as best as she could. She was exhausted, but unable to sleep.

Elliot climbed out of the barn, and around to the side of the house. She picked up some pebbles and threw them at the side of the house, by where Tyler's room was, hoping to get his attention.

Tyler was half aseelp as he looked out the window he saw elliot.

He yawn and walked outside, forgetting he was shritless.

Elliot ran to Tyler as soon as he was out, practically knocking him over as she hugged him. She sobbed into his chest, not even caring that he didn't have a shirt on. She broke down, unable to keep it in any longer.

"Oof." Tyler looked down at elliot he patted her hair. "There there, whats wrong?"

"Mama's.....gone....." Elliot managed to choke out in betwen sobs. "She's dead."

Tyler held the small girl in his arms. "Little one, I'm sorry." He said sadly.

"I have to....leave," She cried. "Tomorrow morning. I'm going to live with my Aunt and Uncle, the next town over," She sobbed.

This was his last chance, he had to tell her now, or never. "Little one I l- I'll miss you." He couldn't do it.

Elliot said nothing more. Just stood there in his arms, and cried until she couldn't find another tear to cry.

This was aweful. He himself felt ike cring.

Elliot fell limp in his arms. She had fallen asleep, exhausted herself from crying and sadness.

He smiled slightly and picked her up. He walked back inside and layed her on his bed. Altrough it was spuid of him he kissed her forehead before laying down on the floor.

Elliot didn't stir as he kissed her forehead. She was fast asleep, though her face didn't look nearly as cheerful as it normally did.

The next morning Tyler woke up early. He woke Elliot up, because she had to go. Now. He would be in trouble if they found her in his room, een if he was on the floor.

Elliot woke up slowly, sitting up and rubbing her eyes. When she realized where she was she blinked quizzicly at him, but understood that she needed to go.

Her breathe caught in her chest as she realized this would be the last time she saw him.

She stood up from the bed, and hugged him as tightly as she could.

Tyler pulled out of her grasp. She need to lrean were to draw the lie, but he knew to late to star teching her.

Elliot frowned when he pulled back but simply nodded.

"Please come see me once more, after I'm done packing," Elliot whispered. "Please?"

"I don't know." He said walking over to a chair and grabed the shrit that was hanging on it and put it on. "I can try."