-and then skidded to a stop, slipping only slightly in the grass as he turned on his tail and ran back over to her.

"Mokey! Mokey it's alright, I'm here, I-" A brief, panicked panting, then he skittered a half step back. "I'm not leaving, just hold on-!"

He moved only a few steps away that time, not even out of sight, and sucked in a whole lungful of air. He shouted for help, shouted Scrooge's name, waited. Nothing. Nothing?? How could it happen like THIS-!!