...Look What I've Become

Prodigal slowly ascended the snow-covered mountain. He had given the life of his sister for his own. What had he done? He had given more than he had, and he had given things that weren't his to give. He had earned his name, for he was no more than a prodigal. He sat down on a cliff with a feeling of guilt burning inside of him. He howled to the clouds and the lonely sound was carried across the dark sky, letting all ears hear it.

An irregularly-colored black and white blotchy splotch streaked across the ground, leaping over rocks and boulders, trampling through tall grasses and weeds, clearing all obstacles easily. This blur would soon turn out to be a canine, a Border collie, to good enough eyes. The only thing that brought this speedy dog to a halt was a loud howl that echoed through the mountains. Suddenly, his legs slowed, bringing him to an abrupt halt, scattering dirt out in front of him.
His head turned, allowing his mismatched eyes to land on the form of some coyote-looking creature. Another coyote, maybe? How interesting was such a thing.
He quickly began to veer off toward the creature, watching him carefully and with ease. The canine seemed troubled. "Hellooo?" he called out lightly about halfway there, before stopping slowly, head up and auds pricked. He wanted to make sure this canine was friendly enough before going any closer.

The Coywolf's ears pricked when he heard another's voice. He swung his head around to see a dog. Oh, what a sight. This creature looked...kind. Unlike him. He thought himself greedy and selfish. He opened his mouth, but shut it again when he realized he did not know what to say. He thought for a moment, then opened his mouth again. "Hey..." He said, just loud enough for the Border to hear.

Cooper drew in a deep breath, wondering if this canine was as nice as most of the animals he had seen around the valley. Many appeared to be rude. He hated such creatures-- it only seemed to prove they were on this earth for nothing, in Coop's eyes.
"The name's Cooper," he began, easing his way nearer, "who're you?" He wanted to get to know animals in the valley, no matter how long or hard that would be. He needed friends, as did everyone else, especially in such a time. He wondered how others fared when they were constantly alone. He had all of his Border friends, but they were beginning to gather their own new pals. Cooper wanted to do the same.

The coywolf stepped closer. "Hey, Cooper...I'm Prodigal." He said in a depressing tone. He himself was alone by his own doing. He had given the lives of his sister and mother, but has changed his ways since then. But he couldn't take it back now. It was too late. He didn't want to say this to the dog, though.

The Border continued to watch the coy, wondering why he seemed so low, during such a great day. Cooper couldn't think of doing anything but practicing his daily running activities. How else was a dog to stay fit and in shape?
"Well, Prodigal, why are you so sad on such a wonderful day?" he asked, auds swiveling and banner waving, as though he hadn't a care in the world. He was unusually happy. Maybe just a version of "Spring fever."

Anger could be seen in Prodigal's eyes, though he did not unleash it on the nice dog. "I...I gave the lives of my mother and sisters for my own. I have earned my name...I'm never happy now." He sighed, sitting down in the snow. It was cold, like his heart.

Cooper suddenly began to loosen his uppity motions, though he still felt happy all the same. Feelings from others never usually reached him, though you could simply see the new look in his eyes. Not quite the same as before.
"Lives? How so?" he asked, wanting to know. Yet then again, he couldn't expect someone to just tell him their problems. That was a pretty unthinkable thing to do, though Cooper stayed quiet. The coy could say what he wanted, whether or not it'de matter.

Prodigal took a deep breath. "I had a choice. I could keep my own life, or give theirs away." He began. "The war was raging on. The enemy was vicious. Their leader made a bargain. I could die, or my family could die. I, being the selfish creature I am, offered their lives. I witnessed their death. I tried to escape the guilt by leaving my home and coming here, but it followed me." He paused and looked up at the clouds. "They could be alive right now if it weren't for me..." He howled angrily at the sky.

Cooper drew in a deep breath, holding in a stray yawn. He caught all of the words, wondering what "enemy" he was speaking of, and what this entire thing was all about. Coop couldn't blame one for keeping their life for another's, but it did seem like a sharp bargain, whatever it was all about. Tilting his head a bit, he gave a gruff snort. "Well, you couldn't blame yourself for such a thing. May seem a bit harsh of a bargain..." he then stated, trailing off as he thought. He didn't know what to say, truely, exactly.

Prodigal sat down again, staring at Cooper. "No...I basically killed them myself. I could have died for them!" He snapped. "Sorry...just a little...tired." He could see all his past flash in his memory; all the foolish and dishonorable things he had done.

Coop was then stumped for words. "I don't know what to say." he stated. All he could think of was not blaming oneself. "You simply can't blame yourself forever. It's bad for one's health." he then said, giving a nod. He was quite upset, but Coop knew that he would be too, especially if it was one of his friends.

Prodigal eyed Cooper with an annoyed look in his eyes. Not annoyed with Cooper, but annoyed with himself. "I suppose I can't..." He sighed. "I just wish I could bring them back." His mouth opened wide as he yawned.

Coop was a bit startled at the annoyed look, but he shrugged it off. He had no reason for feeling in any bad way. He didn't understand the canine, partly. There were lines missing in this story. "Well, once again I'm stumped for words." he simply stated, not knowing what he could really say. There was nothing he could do about it, so he might as well learn to deal with it.