Gryphon Cross: Last Laugh

By N.S. Nazz

All his life, Beppi was told that he was going to die.

But that is not stopping him from enjoying what he loves most: his friends, school and peanut butter sandwiches. By treating each day as his last, he thought it would be less painful to know about his terminal condition.

When the famous performers called the Taronga Troops came to town, Beppi would do anything to reunite with his long-lost family. However, a dark secret not even Beppi knew could strain the relationship he would once dreamed of.

Between school and family, on top of his incurable disease, the young Tasmanian devil will have to find a way to make them smile, even if it will cost him his own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Partridge Publishing Singapore
• Release date: Aug 21, 2023
• ISBN: 9781543773309

Book preview

_PROLOGUE_

Ten years ago…

Sitting outside of the tent, Finn was waiting for news. It was a sweltering hot afternoon where most beasts were swimming at the lake or enjoying frozen treats at an ice cream parlour to cool down.

But not him.

He was waiting for a sound, a sign, anything really. Finn wanted nothing more than to stay by his wife’s side. Still, he was immediately shoved outside, praying for a miracle. He sighed, twiddling with the pendant from his sun-shaped necklace with an amber gem in the centre.

She’s going to be okay, you know, a gentle drowsy voice whispered from above. It was a grey koala with a purple shawl draped around her back like a blanket. She was hugging the tree branch as if it were a bolster. It was odd since the temperature was FAR from the cold.

I know Gypsy, but she’s my wife. I must be by her side since she will have our baby.

The koala yawned, opening her eyes to gaze down at him. Finn, she’s having twins. Did you know that?

The old Tasmanian devil blinked, trying to take in the news. He had never been to a proper hospital for treatment due to insufficient funds. Recently, the performance held by the troops could have been more pleasing to the crowds. They had to survive on what was left of their savings, to the point they would go as far as to steal little things, such as food, from the market.

Gypsy, he breathed, wishing he was nimble enough to climb up. A-are you sure? We don’t even have the proper equipment doctors used to check the babies inside the mother’s womb.

The koala nodded absentmindedly; her eyes were very droopy. I’m sure. I’ve had children before.

Just then, a sharp cry followed by screams was heard from the tent. Finn had the urge to burst inside and comfort his wife. Still, he knew the rule: Tasmanian devil fathers cannot be by their wives’ sides when having a baby because their aggression is far more dangerous than those of large carnivores.

Finn stuck his muzzle into the mouth of the tent. What’s going on? Can I see her?

He was immediately shoved outside by a strong paw. It was none other than a spotted quoll who shook her head. Finn, you know the rules. Tommy is taking care of her, and once it’s done, you can see her. Ruby’s a tough girl. She’ll be okay.

As much as it reassured him, his instincts of being a husband and a new father had made him even more paranoid. Beasts that passed stared at him as if he had been spending too much time in a poppy field.

Still, he decided to stand close to the tent until he heard a tiny wail— Two tiny wails, to be exact!

Once he was gestured to come inside with a spotted paw, Finn held his breath. For him, it did not matter what the babies would look like. It’s Ruby, who he was worried about. Even before marriage, she was a spitfire of a Tasmanian devil and an excellent dancer. The audience was entranced by how she moved, which was why he wanted her in the Taronga Troops.

In all their shows, everyone wanted to see Ruby and her fiery dance that could charm a stoic reptile into awed.

Ruby was lying on the makeshift cot, breathing heavily but with two bundled blankets in her arms. Finn lets out a sigh of relief. His wife and children are safe! Ruby had the same black fur and red face as him, except for a few more scars here and there.

Ruby, he whispered, stroking her messy face before kissing her cheek. You did it. Look at our kids, a boy, and a girl! They’re so adorable!

They better be, Ruby grumbled, sitting up to inspect the bundles in her arms. I hope they made up for all of the struggles I went through.

Finn only nodded, nuzzling his wife while one of his claws was between his newborn babies. The boy began to curl up into the warmth of his fur while the girl was still wailing, nibbling one of his fingers with her toothless maw.

Welcome to the Taronga Troops, kids, Finn whispered, careful not to lean too close to their ears. He was beyond thankful that his family was alright. He wondered what adventures they will seek and who will they meet.

…

Five years later, Finn was watching at the corner of the tent. His wife was training their children to perform for the next show. He was concerned when Ruby wanted them to dance with fire, which to him was dangerous for children that were five years old.

Beppi! Ruby growled at their son, who was whimpering with fear. Finn cast a sorrowful glance at his son. Can’t you move any faster? We got a show tonight!

I’m trying, Ma, Beppi answered, trying not to cry. I really am!

Then show it to me! Your sister mastered most of the moves that YOU are also supposed to be learning. At this point, trying isn’t good enough!

Jumping, flipping, twirling, and even a touch of flame was enough to make Finn rush forward to get his son before Ruby could cuff him again by the ear. Wrapping his arms around him, he faced his wife, his ears flaring.

Ruby, I think that’s enough for him, Finn told her firmly, rubbing Beppi’s back to soothe his whimpers. Ruby only bared her teeth at him as a warning. Other members of the Taronga Troops stayed clear of the couple.

No one wanted to receive bite marks from either one of them.

What good is a child if he can’t keep up with the rest of us? Ruby growled in frustration. She pointed a manicured claw at a figure on the tightrope. Bon Bon was born the same night as him, yet she can keep up with the rest of us. Finn, there’s something wrong with this boy.

He was shocked at his wife’s words. Beppi was still whimpering in pain. His arms were slightly bruised from the training, and bits of his fur were singed. W-what do you mean? Beppi’s strong, just like his sister.

Despite the protest, Ruby grabbed Beppi by his scruff to show faint spots across his muzzle. Finn was shocked but did his best not to make his son feel as scared as he currently was.

Ruby, you don’t mean-

I’ve seen it before, and so have you! she snapped irritably, making their son bury his face into his father’s chest. He placed his chin on Beppi’s head, trying to comfort him. It was ironic since he never cried as a baby.

Finn, if you can’t fix it, then I will, Ruby’s tone was final. He merely nodded, feeling his heart split into two. He had limited time to settle this before tonight’s performance before the troop could pack up and leave for their next venue.

He waited for nightfall when his wife and daughter would be occupied with their routine while he would sneak away with Beppi in his arms.

Pa, where are we going? Beppi asked, looking around from his embrace. Finn had to run since nighttime was dangerous for any young animal wandering about. He couldn’t stop running since he could feel multiple eyes zeroing in on him.

Somewhere safe, was the only answer he breathed out. He couldn’t tell Ruby where he had hidden their son, fearing she would finish the task herself. However, his thoughts caused them to trip and fall onto the bumpy cobblestone pavement.

OW! TUMMY HURTS! PA, IT HURTS!! Beppi howled in pain, causing Finn to clamp his jaws shut. A cry or sound from a Tasmanian devil could alert the police. He rubbed his son’s back, feeling something warm and wet pressing close to his chest.

He hurried until he found himself a dimly lit orphanage, bursting through the doors, which shocked some of the caretakers. Help me, please! My son’s bleeding, and I need medicine for him.

He was gently guided into the infirmary, waiting for his son to be treated. As much as it pained him, Finn knew this place might be safe for Beppi. A cuckoo bird caretaker flew toward him with a clipboard.

I want to put my son through adoption, he stated, fiddling with his sun pendant necklace. With his head lowered, he couldn’t bear to look at the tiny bird before him without feeling shame. I…I can’t provide anything for my son due to my situation, and I don’t want him to constantly be on the move with me and my work.

The cuckoo bird narrowed her eyes at him as she scribbled on the clipboard. What sort of job do you do?

When he told her he was a performer, he had never seen such a judgmental look on a cuckoo bird before. Then again, he was used to being judged by others for his choice of joining the Taronga Troops at a young age.

I just want him to be loved by a family that’s not on the move and be able to put him in school. I hope-

Shh, the cuckoo bird gestured with a wing. Those two canines are here again. Whatever you do, don’t interact with them?

He looked at her with confusion. Why?

Just then, the two canines that the cuckoo bird mentioned walked past them, and Finn had never seen such beauties other than his wife. An aardwolf and an African-painted dog were probably looking for something, but their ears and tails drooped.

Too beautiful to adopt? he asked with a nervous chuckle, but the stern expression from the bird made him clamp his jaws shut. She sighed, pulling out a cut-out newspaper article about how ‘unnatural’ those two Canidaes were. This made him furrow his brows, glancing from the article to the two female canines comforting each other by the door.

What’s wrong with that? If they want a kid, there’s plenty here. Isn’t that your job: to provide good homes to kids without families? Didn’t the sign outside say Broomstick Cottage, home for lost children, or am I in the wrong house?

The cuckoo bird wanted to rebut but held herself at wing length. She gestured to him to get the two female Canidaes’ attention. Finn did not waste any time dawdling.

Hey, ladies! Hold on a moment…

Despite the protest, Finn caught up with them. His body was aching from using the last of his strength. He knew it was a rash decision, but what other choice did he have? Both Canidaes tilted their heads in confusion.

You…you wanted a kid…right? he breathed out the words between each gasp. The aardwolf stepped forward, offering her hand. Yeah, but are YOU alright? You looked like you just escaped the law or something?

You have no idea...

Finn had a feeling that the painted dog was eyeing him with suspicion. Well, who wouldn’t?

Regardless, he began to explain his situation, his ears trying to listen to the scuffling sounds of his son. It was a hard decision to make, but if it meant letting Beppi have a normal life, then this was the sacrifice he was willing to make.

The more he talked, the more he felt the guilt weighing onto his heart and stomach. Maybe the latter was because he overate before leaving…

Are you sure that you want to give your son to us? the painted dog asked, her ears flattened, but her tail wagged slightly. Finn only nodded; his eyes were staring at the rotting wood of the floorboards. You know we’ve been banned from many places just because…

Would your son be okay with us caring for him? The aardwolf stepped in to smoothen the tense conversation.

How could he call himself a father if he had given up on his son? Well, there’s his daughter, but even so, how far would he go to make sure both of his children are safe and alive? Finn was never one to plan but just improvise as he went along, just like one of his acts.

We’ll put him through the best school so that he can go far, the aardwolf assured him, so where is the little scrap?

Reluctantly, he showed them where his son was. Falling behind in his steps, Finn only stared at the two Canidaes interacting with his son. He started to pull a few clumps of his fur.

He hoped he was making the right choice.

_CHAPTER ONE_

Doctor’s Dispelling Disclosure

Beep…Beep…Beep…

Beppi groaned, slamming his alarm clock to shut up. He wanted nothing more than to sleep since it was a Saturday. But he knew that he needed to wake up to help before breakfast.

"Better hurry before Roxie starts shaking