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Chapter 20 - Home
🕑 Added 2025-03-30 13:29:50 +0000 UTCWait to play when the name appears again.
Music: Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd
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Leaving his room with his backpack on and his cape billowing, Puss was met with a large crowd waiting for him in the orphanage hallway.
There, he saw Mama Imelda, her eyes red and wet, a much larger Humpty than years ago with a lonely expression, the Commander, who didn't seem much different from back then but bore a heavy face, and several other people he knew.
But Puss didn't have much time to analyze the situation before his mama rushed toward him.
"Pequeño! Do you really have to go?" Imelda ran and embraced his small body, her heart aching.
Puss hugged her back and closed his eyes, savoring the affection and warmth he likely wouldn't feel again for many years.
"Sí, mama. You yourself told me, years ago. We can lose everything, except our freedom. I have to go; my destiny is out there. I no longer feel free living in San Ricardo—I must explore and learn about this world. Only then will I be truly free." Puss spoke with a resolute yet gentle gaze toward the kind woman who loved him so much.
With tears streaming down her eyes, Imelda smiled warmly at him and held his shoulders.
"You were so little when you arrived, and now look at you—so grown, so determined and sure of yourself. I am so, so, so proud of you. I just wanted you to live a long, peaceful, and happy life. You have already achieved so much, and I don't want to see you risk your life out there."
She spoke, her eyes filling with more tears and concern as she looked at Puss. Her gentle smile fought to remain, to give him the strength he needed for his journey. She continued speaking, her voice breaking.
"But I have always known, from the very first moment I laid eyes on you, that your destiny was to make others smile and uplift the discouraged—just like I smiled for the first time when I saw you, even though I was exhausted from the long, rainless year, when the orphanage was struggling. Just as you saved the orphanage and the town, I know you will be the hero you were born to be, and I do not doubt that for a second."
She pulled him into another tight embrace.
The hug lingered as Puss listened to her quiet sobs. It made him hesitate more than ever about leaving, but his eyes slowly filled with determination… he had to go. It was his destiny.
Gently patting his tearful mama, Puss slowly pulled away from the hug, discreetly wiping his nose, not wanting anyone to see his own tears.
Taking a deep breath and composing himself, Puss smiled at her, hugged her one last time, and then stepped away under her quiet sobs.
Approaching Humpty, he patted his arm.
"Humpty, I don't think we'll see each other for a long time," Puss said, smiling warmly at him.
"Yeah…" Humpty replied, disheartened.
"Come on! Don't be like that. San Ricardo needs its hero now more than ever, now that I'm leaving. I can only entrust the mission of protecting our home to you, Hump… no, brother." Puss spoke seriously, firmly meeting Humpty's downcast gaze.
But when he heard Puss call him brother, Humpty's face immediately lifted in shock, staring at Puss, who was smiling.
Tears could not be contained, and Humpty hugged him tightly, crying.
"Brother! Sniff! Thank you for everything! Sniff Sniff! Don't worry, I will always do my best, just like you said." Humpty cried between his words.
"I know you will, Humpty. Don't cry so much—a real man shouldn't let others see his tears. And it's not like this is the last time we'll see each other. We still have a promise to fulfill, remember?" Puss said seriously, but in the end, smiled at him again.
Humpty then remembered their promise from that day.
'I want you to help me find the golden goose when we grow up.'
Humpty smiled upon realizing that Puss still remembered and nodded firmly at him.
Giving him one last pat on the arm, Puss approached the Commander.
"Comandante. Before I leave, I just want to thank you for everything you've done for us," Puss said sincerely.
Without the Commander's help, he would have faced many difficulties in aiding the orphanage. The Commander's assistance was essential to the good life he had enjoyed all these years.
The Commander simply stared at him, unmoving. His hard gaze locked onto Puss's eyes.
Puss looked at him strangely, wondering why he was so silent and somber, but then, he saw the man's lips quiver slightly.
Just when Puss thought he was about to say something—
"Waaaaahhh!" The Commander suddenly burst into intense sobs, crouching down and pulling Puss into a tight hug, tears streaming from his eyes.
Puss froze in place, stunned by the sudden emotional outburst.
The Commander only spoke after recovering a little.
"You're a good kid, Puss. I speak for the whole town—we're going to miss you," He said as he released Puss from the hug and wiped his tears away.
Even though Puss found it amusing to see the fearsome Commander cry, he did not laugh at the scene. He respected the man and was touched by his sincerity.
After saying his goodbyes to everyone else, Puss mounted a Black horse waiting in front of the orphanage.
[Simple Man - Lynyrd Skynyrd]
Just as he was about to leave, Imelda stepped forward and stood beside his horse.
"Pequeño, I just want to give you some final advice before you go. I may not be as smart or strong as you, but life has taught me some valuable lessons."
She spoke seriously, and Puss listened attentively.
"Your journey will be long, and you will meet many kinds of people. One day, you will find love. When that happens, if you are sure of your feelings, never give up—chase after it. But don't be foolish; love without reciprocity is merely admiration. Another thing—do not let yourself be blinded by gold or silver. One day, you will realize that none of it can buy even a second of the time you have lost. And lastly, always follow your heart. It will show you the way. You don't need honor or glory—just to be happy. Can you promise your mama that?"
She asked, looking at Puss with both affection and concern.
Puss took her words to heart and nodded firmly.
"I promise, mama."
As Imelda stepped back, Puss gave one last nod to everyone, and with a soft click of his lips, his horse began to walk forward.
Riding slowly through the streets, he saw crowds gathering to bid him farewell.
Puss nodded in acknowledgment, but his thoughts were elsewhere.
His eyes wandered over the streets he had once roamed, the houses he had broken into—not to steal, but for a drink of milk or simply to train.
The faces of the townspeople, who always greeted him with kindness.
Memories of his fifteen years flashed through his mind without pause.
'Perhaps I am like those people who have everything yet are never satisfied. The ones who fail to see that everything they've ever wanted is right beneath their feet. Perhaps, just like them, I have something here… something many would give anything to have…'
His gaze drifted involuntarily toward the orphanage he had just left behind. At the door, Imelda, Humpty, the Commander, the guards, the children, and the caretakers watched him go, tears in their eyes.
'Home…'
Puss thought, and with difficulty, he tore his eyes away and resumed his path.
Riding through San Ricardo under the blessings of its people, he soon reached the town's entrance bridge. The only other time he had been here was when he arrived in a basket all those years ago.
The bridge was empty now, the townsfolk who had bid him farewell watching from the city gates instead.
As he crossed the bridge, only the sound of his horse's hooves remained, along with the strong beating of his own heart.
Leaving the bridge behind, he halted his horse and looked up at the great archway marking the entrance to the town.
Above, the words were just as legible as the day he first arrived.
"San Ricardo. Thank you."
He murmured softly, feeling the gentle breeze ruffle his fur, blowing toward the desert, as if the town itself was blessing and guiding him on his journey.
"Let's go, mi amigo," he said, stroking the horse's neck gently.
Then, slowly, the figures of the two grew smaller and smaller, until at last, they vanished completely into the desert landscape.
…
