The team felt uncomfortable around each other and kept their distance with every минута that passed. So much had happened in a matter of days. Kowalski once desired Rico’s affection, and then lied to Skipper once he realized what he had done. Rico was sent away for false accusations, and Marlene was eventually denied of Skipper’s love. And now, Private has been struck by a crowbar while obeying his orders, and Skipper is becoming hostile towards his own team.
Kowalski knew that things were only going to get worse. But, that didn’t stop him from paying his dear friend a visit.
“Skipper?” he quietly approached the leader, who was lying in his bunk, “Are Ты awake?”
Silence…
“I told Private to stay outside. I think he understood…”
Still nothing…
“Skipper, I know you’re not asleep. It would probably be best if Ты simply told me what was troubling you…”
Finally, Skipper rolled over on his side and faced Kowalski with a saddened expression, “You…you wouldn’t understand…”
“With all due respect, Skipper, I highly doubt that theory…”
Skipper sighed and allowed his eyes to wander towards the ground that rested beneath the intellectual.
“Besides, I’m sure something would have to be wrong if Ты felt it were necessary to mention Denmark…”
“Look, I’m real sorry for saying that, Kowalski. Ты didn’t deserve it…” Skipper rose into a sitting position, letting his feet hang from the edge of his stone bunk.
“What made Ты say it?”
Skipper hesitated for a moment before speaking, “Kowalski…we’ve known each other for a long time, right?”
Kowalski nodded, “We were childhood friends…”
“So, be honest with me.” He paused and deeply inhaled, “Am I a bad penguin?”
“Is this about Private?”
“No…no, it’s about everything. Private, Rico, Marlene, and…now you…”
“Marlene?”
“I walked out on her when…” Skipper stopped. Kowalski could easily tell that this was very hard for him, “That isn’t me…”
“What do Ты mean by that?”
The distressed leader hopped from his bunk and slowly waddled past Kowalski, forcing the tall one to turn in order to face the back of Skipper’s head. Skipper halted and folded his flippers, looking through the circular glass window which revealed the surrounding water. He could see the bright moon from underneath the water’s surface. He often enjoyed the fact that the penguins’ residence existed underwater. He felt a sense of comfort and safety; as if nothing could harm him.
“I’m not the same little chick that Ты met near the beach, in Denmark.”
“I don’t quite unders-”
“Let me finish, soldier!”
Skipper sniffed and continued to peer into the window. He eventually noticed Private, who appeared to be swimming through the water. He probably didn’t realize that he was being watched.
“I was stupid before I met you; careless and…unknowing…of the watchful eyes. It wouldn’t have taken a genius to see that I was different from the others. The only friend I had was a quiet girl. I can’t even remember her name…” he laughed, “…but, I remember that she wasn’t afraid to be around me. Well, it didn’t matter, anyway. She didn’t have a reason to be afraid, like the others. Soon, my parents abandoned me, one night; left me for dead. I really can’t blame them, though. I probably would have done the same. It was a matter of time, I suppose, for them to high-tail it. I guess I disappointed them one too many times. They…demanded that I grow up to have an egg with that girl. I told them I wasn’t interested in her; that I only cared about holding hands with…with those other…those…with…”
Skipper finally stopped, raising a flipper and using it to wipe the forming tears from his eyes. He began to sniff a bit, trying his best to keep it under control. Kowalski remained where he was; still interested in hearing the rest of the story. Only, it seemed as though he was finished. Only a miracle could give Skipper the emotional strength to continue, that night.
“Am I a…a bad…p-penguin, Kowals-s-ski?” Skipper asked through his shaky breaths.
Kowalski didn’t enjoy seeing his leader in this state. He appeared more…vulnerable. He had always believed Skipper to be the sort of пингвин that could handle anything. Seeing Skipper act this way gave Kowalski a feeling of Остаться в живых hope. However, he did have little hope left within himself. He hoped that Skipper wouldn’t become overwhelmed by the pressure. Without Skipper, what would this team become?
This was when the spectating intellectual stood to his feet and neared Skipper from behind. From here, Kowalski placed a flipper on Skipper’s shoulder for comfort. He had to admit, it seemed a bit cliché, but he would have done anything to ease Skipper’s torment.
“You’re not a bad penguin, Skipper. You’re a much better leader than I could ever dream of becoming…”
Skipper only continued to dry his subtle tears, “Thank Ты for staying…when everyone else left…”
Kowalski knew that he was once again referring to Denmark.
Not long after Skipper became the new leader of the team, the other penguins decided to angrily leave and go their own ways. Of course, all except Kowalski, who was еще than willing to assist his best friend in his future endeavors. Eventually, the two would soon come across Rico and Private, thus completing the perfectly balanced team that they had, now.
“You know…you still have a chance to be yourself…” he suggested. He had yet to realize the entirety of Skipper’s problem, but it couldn’t possibly have been any worse than what Kowalski had witnessed and felt.
The leader sighed and looked up from the ground with a smile, “You’re a good man, Kowalski. You’re right, too. I’ve gotta set things right…”
Skipper turned and made his way towards the ladder, using the fishbowl exit. Kowalski simply assumed that he was going to settle things with Marlene and then take Rico home.
“You’ve done it, Kowalski…” he smiled to himself, feeling proud of giving his leader the words of encouragement that he was in desperate need of.
Private soon hopped down from the fishbowl entrance, having noticed Skipper’s departure.
“How’d things go with Skippa?”
Kowalski nodded and gave Private a smile.
“I believe it went better than expected…”
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It began to rain, and Skipper hadn’t ceased his weeping.
He was both excited and terrified to finally resolve this unseen tension. He wasn’t sure if he was ready. What would everyone think of him? Would Kowalski still be his friend? Would everyone leave him, just as they did in Denmark? He wasn’t so sure. But, he knew that he had to get this off of his chest; either now или never. Skipper was nearing Marlene’s habitat when he noticed Rico standing near the cave.
Absolutely perfect!
The trembling leader lowered his head and waddled towards the explosives expert. He found it strange that Rico refused to stand underneath the cave’s shelter. Instead, he was allowing the rain to drench him to the bone. Skipper decided that it would only be fair if he did the same. He no longer wished to think better of himself, simply for his Название that he didn’t even deserve. He didn’t have the guts to tell Kowalski that he lied to everyone in Denmark. Kowalski probably knew that, anyway. If that were the case, then Kowalski truly was a good friend.
“Rico?” Skipper asked, standing in front of the heavy пингвин as the both of them were getting soaked by the rain.
Rico didn’t verbally respond; but, instead, he tilted his head to the side with curiosity. His eyes, however, revealed annoyance and hate. He was most likely angry with everyone around him. After all, the only reason that Rico was with Marlene was because he took the blame for Kowalski. From that point and on, Rico was treated differently. He didn’t know how much еще he could take. If only Kowalski could come clean…
“I, uh…I came to…apologize…for my mistakes. It was wrong of me to send Ты away, but…when Kowalski told me that Ты tried to…do things with him, I was afraid. I didn’t want Ты to try that with Private или Kowalski. I was…” he stopped when there was a flash of lightning, followed by the boom of thunder, “I was jealous, Rico! I didn’t want anyone else to…to be with you! I told myself that this was…my only chance. I never should have involved Private in this mess. This is too big for the little guy. But, I mean, Ты wouldn’t tell anyone; especially since you’re…” he stopped, feeling terrible for what he was saying.
He had practically told Rico that he was trying to take advantage of him for his speech impediment. That way, if things never worked out, Rico wouldn’t have been able to tell the world about Skipper’s mistake. Skipper didn’t know what else to say, at this point. Rico was shocked by what he had just been told; and he knew what was about to follow.
Skipper closed his eyes and stepped forward, placing his flippers on Rico’s shoulders. From here, the leader rubbed his beak with Rico’s. Years of stress and pressure from all of the lying was finally lifted. If only Rico could have at least played along for a few еще minutes. Things probably could have been better for Skipper, then…
Rico narrowed his eyes and let out a frustrated growl as he gave Skipper a forceful shove. The dazed and confused leader nearly Остаться в живых his balance from the force.
“What, I…I thought that you…and….Kowalski said…” Skipper frantically made various attempts to Вопрос Rico of his actions.
“NO!!” Rico yelled as loud as his lungs could manage. It almost came out as a squeal, due to Rico’s unusual voice.
“Oh...I understand…” Skipper quietly сказал(-а) while lowering his head, “I…disgust you…”
Rico shook his head in angry disbelief and turned to enter the cave.
Skipper was left to stand in the pouring rain. He wasn’t sure what to do, next. What did he have to live for, now?
Well, at least there was Kowalski…
