My Final Destination...? (Dachii's Finale)
#20 of I'm Real (scales & wings)
well here it is, the final chapter of 'I'm Real(Scales&Wings)' I hope you all enjoyed the series and i hope you all continue to like my work. but i have another thing to say but you'll have to finish reading the chapter first Enjoy everyone!
Chapter 19
My final Destination...? (Dachii's Finale)
I figure now the world really isn't much of a fair place...but I should have known that.
When I was with Tye everything seemed to always work out, things were simple enough with the rest of the world cut off...but you can't ever really live your life if your stuck in one place...though now I need to figure out what to do.
If there was ever a time for a strait answer now would be the time...
I awoke to light shining in my eye... that's odd I don't remember the room having windows.
"Good morning Dachii" I heard the captains voice from not to far away.
I fully opened both eyes and realized where I was.
"How did I get in here?" I asked being a little confused with the fact I was back in the captain's room.
The captain chuckled "you're lighter than you look" he looked at me and smiled "and I thought you could use some company" he said standing over me in his uniform attire.
I don't know what he did but I don't think he would try to harm me.
"So...what's going to happen?" he asked me putting a more serious face on.
I looked at the floor as I sat up "I really don't know..." I answered.
"well think because you need to make a choice soon...what do you believe is the right thing to do?" he turned and walked over to a control panel pressing a few buttons and seemingly doing something to the boat, then I heard a loud clunk and a bump that shook the boat briefly.
I looked out the window of the room and saw what I had been waiting to see for the longest time now... I'm finally here at the island...but I don't know if I should step off the boat and find my way to Tye.
"We're here now Dachii...so the choice is yours, go see Tye...or we can get away from here and find you another home"
I stood up and slowly walked up to the window to gaze upon the very place I belonged, the place I had dreamt about...the place where Tye lived.
Ray's resolve
I believe in Dachii, he can handle things on his own now...I'm really glad I met him.
What were the chances that I would have found him of all people in this city, the place I practically grew up in; it seems strange now like there's more to this place than just a massive living area surrounded mostly by the lake.
I really wonder how things will turn out for him...but I'm sure he can take care of himself...he did a good job of taking care of me.
Now that I'm by myself again what am I supposed to do?
I have no friends, and the only family I know is my drunken abusive grandfather...was there some reason why I'm here? ... I bet it was just to be able to help Dachii...and I barely helped at that.
Maybe something's wrong with me, I'm human...why did I fall for Dachii? ...why do I still feel like this?
Maybe I shouldn't have left; maybe I should have gone with Dachii to make sure he made it to his friend... I don't trust that captain he kind of scares me, how he knew Dachii still doesn't make sense but I guess a lot of things don't make sense to me.
I guess now that Dachii's somewhere else all I can do is do what I said I would.
I've been walking for a few hours through these alleyways, I know this city like the back of my hand and I still can't find him.
"Where the hell did he go?" I mumbled to myself kicking a small fragment of a brick that must have chipped off the wall.
Then I spotted the garbage can lid lying on the ground, I knew it was the same one because it had graffiti on it and it was slightly dented from the bottle impacts.
I searched around but still no sign of him, only fragments of glass lay on the floor from his recent rampage.
"Looking for someone to?" I heard an unfamiliar voice behind me, it sounded like a guy's voice but it was tired yet calm.
I turned to see an iguana and he was in a pair of dress pants with a white coat that went down almost to his knees.
It's kind of strange you don't often see an iguana everyday around here.
"y-yea...sort of" I answered back, I felt a little afraid I didn't know why but seeing as he was dressed like he really didn't belong in this area he could be dangerous.
"Well maybe we could help each other out" he smiled a little "have you come across anyone out of the ordinary lately?"
Why was this guy asking me? ...what if he was talking about Dachii, could he be going after him and trying to hurt him, I can't let that happen.
I calmed myself so I could play this out I'm betting he'd be able to sense any hesitation "I haven't seen anything at all" I lied but it was for a good reason, I'm not going to let anything happen to Dachii...not after what I put him through.
"Hmmm...alright then" he let out a depressed sigh which confused me a little what would make him sad if he's trying to hunt someone down "who would you be looking for? ... If you don't mind me asking"
"uhhh..." I didn't really expect him to try and help me but I guess I might as well say "I'm looking for my grandfather"
"are you lost?" he asked
"no...but I'm sure he is...he kind of attacked us here last night" shit I shouldn't have said that.
"us?" he looked at me strangely "why would he attack you?" he stepped closer as I started to back away only to get myself stuck in the same dead end again "we just apprehended Detrone a few moments ago... the drunk" he mumbled, he then stared at me pondering something "your Detrone's grandson...you were lying to me weren't you" he started to sound more agitated just adding to my fears, I'm cornered scared and vulnerable...I'm back where I started and now it looks like I'm in big trouble.
He got really close to me and looked me right in the eyes.
"Now tell me boy, where is my son?"
Dachii's decision
"So Dachii what do you choose?" the captain urged me on again.
I wish I had more time to think but there isn't really much I can do, then I remembered I made a promise to my wolf...even if I forget we'll find each other again and I intend on keeping that promise so now I have nothing to lose.
I turned to look at the captain "can you put the ramp down?" I asked beginning to walk towards the door.
"You know what you're risking?" he said, I wasn't sure if he was warning me or if he just didn't fully understand.
"I know what I'm doing...I made a promise and I won't fail to keep it..."
He nodded and pressed a button that must be putting down the ramp to the dock, I walked out to the outside of the boat to feel a light breeze blow across my face.
The captain had followed me out and stood at the exit of the ship where the ramp was; I walked up to him.
"Good luck Dachii, I know you'll be able to make Tye a happy kid"
"Thank you" I said quietly, I hugged him to show my gratitude for getting me here and he patted my back, I let go and walked down the ramp.
My feet pressed against the board that was the dock, I had made it but I had to be sure I could believe this, I looked back at the captain who remained on his boat smiling at me, then I looked towards my destination.
I could see the mansion, it wasn't to far away but this would be my first time actually being on the island on the outside, this must be what it's like when they returned home they can always see what they are heading for...it was a beautiful sight for me in the early daylight.
I began to walk slowly my footclaws clanking against the hard wood below as I was getting closer to the base of the dock.
And there it was the solid ground...a part of the island...I can't express how happy I feel I'm almost there.
I took a step forward into the ground in front of me into the soft earth that held this place together.
I pressed my foot into it and I felt it, it was real I wasn't dreaming I had finally made it here, I pulled my foot up to see the print I had left and continued my stride forward onto the island...and towards Tye.
Every step I took felt like an achievement, every second felt like a year, I was getting there the slightly swerved path didn't deter me, I wanted to make the moment seeing Tye for the first time special.
no named angel
Master... I miss you already.
I'm going to make sure I keep watch over you; I can see everything though I don't know how you feel.
It feels like it's been an eternity...but you'll come back...won't you?
I don't know what it is, I've been in this place for a long time before when I waited...but now I feel more trapped, I'm being forcefully held here and it won't let me leave.
I don't know what will happen to me here, and I'm starting not to care...as long as you're alright I'll keep my promise.
I'm still watching you from here I'm glad I still have a means to see you.
I stared out the viewing panel as I watch you take your first steps on that island, you look so happy and I know this is something you've been looking forward to.
My ear twitched as I heard a loud booming sound and malicious laughter, a door opened and closed a few feet away but I knew who it was and I'm not going to give them the satisfaction of looking at them.
"So it looks like your master has made his choice, and now you're all mine" he laughed again.
I hated this other dragon he wasn't my master and he claims to be powerful, I've known him before I died even then he was a terrible person how he turned out to be an influencer of fate I'll never know but I won't let him hurt my master anymore.
"I'm your new master now slave" I heard him approach.
He dare call me a slave...I'll kill him...oh wait I already did.
"You'll never be my master" I mumbled back at him still keeping my attention on Dachii.
"You'll look at me when I'm talking to you"
My body stiffened and I was lifted into the air without him making contact and forcibly turned around to face him, he only has power over me because of my markings but once they're gone he has nothing.
I fell to the ground and he laughed "you're my bitch from now on got it!" he lunged down and grabbed the collar my master gave to me.
As his claw grasped the loose part of it he let out a loud scream, I looked up and he had pulled away staggering back almost falling over, I looked at his hand as it was burning and smoking.
"What the hell is this?" he panicked in desperation to cease the pain.
I don't know what it was but I feel my master's love is still with me protecting me even though he's not here.
"Thank you master" I whispered putting my paws over the collar feeling it almost radiate.
I heard him loudly roar as he had stopped the pain but a burn mark was left on his claw, I could tell he was angry practically fuming this wasn't going to be good.
"You! Come here now!" my body lifted off the ground and floated over closer to him "your going to pay for this" he forced me down to my knees to look at his throbbing appendage.
I'm guessing this is what he intended to do with me...I say I'll never let it happen.
"Suck it you bitch and if you dare to do anything stupid your existence will be terminated"
It seemed like I had no choice...but my decision won't be stupid.
I growled and looked up at him as I was pushed forward my face made contact with his meat; I'm keeping my muzzle shut until the right time.
He tried to grab my muzzle to force it open but I knew what to do, I bit his hand sinking my teeth deep into his flesh, no blood this time only pain.
He lifted me upwards flailing his hands around trying to get me off but stopped in front of his face where our eyes made contact and I could se smoke rising from his nostrils.
This will be like the first time before my master, but this time I have love with me giving me another reason to keep fighting.
I used one paw to grab his muzzle and hold it shut as he release flames only to burn himself as it flared out his nostrils, I unclenched my teeth from his claw and fell right into the right position...this will be my revenge, I'll never be his bitch.
I used both paws to grab onto his sides and raised my knees and with forceful momentum my kneecap collided with his scrotum making him gasp out from the sudden pain and then I pulled back enough to lift his head and look him right in the eyes.
"You're not worthy to be anyone's master" I lifted my head and swung down to collide with his skull sending him to the ground in severe pain.
I turned around to look back at the viewing panel; I walked over and peered deeply into it only to feel fear.
"Master look out!" I yelled into the panel wishing my master could hear me.
Then I felt my body move again as I was thrown onto a wall.
"y-you'll never... get away from me..." I heard a weakened laughed "and to think all it took was a single hug from your old master to control you like this...now...where were we?"
Dachii's first glimpse
I had reached the mansion I was at the side of the house; to see this structure from here it just seemed mesmerizing at how big it really was.
I walked along the side peeking into the windows hoping to see if Tye was there but no sight of him so I continued my walk to the front.
I reached the edge of the building getting closer to the front as I turned to head towards the door I notice a figure sitting by the edge of the other dock.
I looked closer as it seemed to be sitting by the edge almost looking like it was curled up, I thought I should investigate.
As I approached every feature slowly became recognizable I continued to get closer as I felt my heart soar.
"Tye!" I called out.
He turned to look at me, there was a frown on his face but it quickly changed to a look of surprise and then joy.
I continued to get closer as he stood up and smiled holding his arms wide, I began to run towards him positioning my arms so that I could grab him and hold him the second I reached him.
With the distance between us slowly getting smaller I felt like this moment was the longest, the time it takes to first make contact...the first time I get to be with Tye again...the first time Tye got to see both his wish and mine come true.
'Master look out!' I heard a scream in my head and it sounded like my wolf, what could be wrong? There was no way this blissful moment could be interrupted...could it?
Then I heard a noise and felt something pinch my back but I kept running, then another but it still didn't affect my motions...to me time felt slow almost stopping as I stared at Tye but the look on his face started to change, that's what got me worried...though I didn't have enough time to worry.
I took a deep breath and felt stabs of pain feeling like they were digging through me draining me as my body came to a halt.
Why now? I'm so close...Tye I'm sorry.
I collapsed to the floor feeling the pain pulsating through my body with each breath, my eyes had closed on impact with the ground but I opened them as much as I could to see one more thing.
Tye ran up over me and held my head, his smile had gone only to show his feelings he was crying I could feel his tears hitting my face, I was really starting to feel light headed and drained of all of my energy but before I blacked out I heard Tye speak.
"Please Dachii stay with me...I don't want to lose you...I'm not losing another one"
Is it normal to see images of your life pass before you?
Every second, every minute, every past moment all going by so quickly?
I fear that everything I've seen must mean something...and seeing this now must mean I didn't make it.
My senses felt broken the world around me felt like it was almost spiraling and then so suddenly came to a stop.
I pulled my body up and stood, I looked around at my surroundings.
I knew this place...this is that blank room...the place I first saw my wolf...I guess this means I must really be dead.
Then I heard struggling and barking with malevolent laughter which only made me panic more...was my wolf in trouble?
I followed the sounds to its source only a short distance away, what I saw made me furious.
My wolf...he looked like he was in such pain, he looked as if he had been beaten terribly and being held up against the wall with that other dragon standing there laughing.
I couldn't take this, something had to be done.
I charged toward the other dragon, clenching my fist I threw a punch aiming for the back of his neck but as I felt a successful impact I realized I hadn't hit him but the claw on his wing had protected him and was slowly forcing me away.
"Did you really not think I'd see that coming?" he turned around rapidly throwing me back slightly, he smirked wickedly "so what have you come here to challenge me? ... This'll be fun" he jumped forward and spun his body letting his tail lash out and hit my side.
He landed right next to me and I saw his fist heading towards me, I used both hands to grab that fist and then grabbed hold of his arm.
He didn't waste any time like I thought he wouldn't to swing his other arm to hit me, I was ready for this one and I knew just what to do, I used my tail to wrap tightly around his other arm restraining it.
He growled as he used his own tail to swing beneath his feet trying to trip me but I jumped over it, then he pulled his arms outwards holding me in the air.
"No where to run" he said with a quick chuckle, he took a deep breath in and I can only guess what he was going to do.
I twisted my body to the side and positioned my legs to line up with his face "and you've got nothing to block with" I made my remark back as I sent my feet colliding with his face using my footclaws to slash at him deeply marking into his flesh.
He roared in pain as one of my feet tried kicking into his jaws, he quickly clamped them shut holding my foot but I easily escaped by kicking his nose and stunning him from the impact.
I then took this time to loosen the grip from my tail and let myself land on the ground, as soon as I felt the floor I held his arm tightly and lifted him over my head throwing him forward onto the ground.
I leap forward and landed on his back, I pinned his arms to the ground "nothing left to laugh about now is there?" I growled.
"Oh there will be more...much more when your out of the picture" he used his tail to grab mine dragging me back releasing him.
This isn't good, how is it he can just keep going?
"Master" I heard my wolf say making us both turn our heads to look at him, he held his collar and it seemed to make me feel like he was holding my heart and encouraging me to win this fight...for both of us.
The other dragon held out his hand and pushed my wolf back against the wall this enraged me more than before.
I lunged forth taking a deep breath as I lowered my head and tackled into his chest.
Now's the time I use the two things I have my breath of fire and my horns they have to have some use.
As I collided with his chest I felt his arms grab my side and that's when I knew exactly what to do, I quickly raised my head burying my horns deep into his neck, my horns tore through the tough scaly tissue , he choked as I felt he was still alive but not for long.
I felt that burst of energy in my chest and shot out a massive amount of flame, it burned through his scales and flesh I could feel the heat impacting me to but it tore through him fast enough to fade.
As my flame went out and a massive burning hole right in the middle of him, I ducked my head twisting my horns out of his now mangled neck.
What was left of his body dangled on me as I threw it off of me I noticed no blood had dropped from his body.
"No one...ever hurts my wolf..." I said quietly, I then turned to look at my wolf who was sitting painfully against the wall.
I quickly approached him and held him up in my arms.
"I love you my pet...no one will ever hurt you again...not as long as I'm still here" he turned his head to look at me.
"I love you to master...I knew you would keep your promise..." he looked into my eyes I felt like I was filled with the joy of never being alone...something I feel my heart longed for but I knew I already had.
I pushed my head forward and lovingly kissed him, he pushed his own head forward weakly to deepen the kiss.
He opened his muzzle enough for me to let my tongue enter, I licked along his teeth and reached along his tongue which rose with mine tangling passionately, we tasted each other holding each others bodies.
A saw a small pulse of light illuminate from my wolf's body, he grabbed hold of my body as tightly as he could, pressing his lips forward onto mine.
Then I saw his markings glow a dim white as it slowly faded leaving his fur at a clear blue pattern.
He pulled his head away from the kiss letting a small string of saliva bridge the gap between us before breaking apart.
"Thank you master...now I am truly yours forever...no longer bound here, only now to you" he nuzzled my neck "master I love you...I'll never leave your side"
I felt so happy now but at the same time I didn't know what to think, I was dead...but I had my wolf...and I destroyed the thing hurting him, so now shouldn't it just make me happy? ... Why do I still feel like there was something missing?
I think my wolf felt my confusion because right at that moment he raised his head again and licked my face, it made me laugh ... he really knew how to cheer me up.
Then I heard something like a slow hissing sound, I turned my head slowly and saw something that utterly dumbfounded me.
"Y-y-you'll never...escape me...only in oblivion"
There it was the broken dragon standing there a still burning hole right through his chest and the holes in his neck where my horns had dig through.
"Now it's time...I ... end this" he weakly held out both his hands and a sphere of purple light and darkness floated "no more redo's...it's time ...this time...we all go back to nothing" the orb landed in his claw and he crushed it.
The moment that orb shattered the whole room got darker and a hole in existence opened up right where the orb was.
"I can finally say...goodbye" the other dragon said as his body faded into the rift.
Then I felt powerful suction coming from it and I knew that what ever we had to do we had to hold onto something.
I lunged myself holding my wolf towards the wall digging into it with my claws grabbing a small gap that seemed to hold the both of us.
It was getting stronger I could feel it, it was getting harder and harder to keep hold but I didn't give in I had to keep holding on.
Then my wolf made a whimpering noise, and I felt him grab onto my leg, I looked down to see he had slipped from my hold and was now dangling from my leg.
"hold on" I called down to him, I tried to pull my leg up and get him closer but our arms just couldn't reach unless he let go...I'm never going to let him go.
"Master I don't think I can hold this much longer" he looked at me in the eyes and made the saddest face I had ever seen from him, his tears were swept off as they leaked from his eyes from the forceful suction.
I made up my mind right there...if he felt he was going to be pulled in...than I'm going with him.
I lifted my leg as close as I could so I could look at him and say "my love...if this is where it all ends, then lets do this together, I remember you once said once we were here we would go to a place we feared to go before...well now is that time...are you ready?"
"To oblivion and back master"
I nodded our decision was final we weren't going to last long here and neither of us knew what was on the other side but we were going to take the plunge...together.
I let go of the wall and immediately grabbed hold of my wolf holding him tightly, it felt like we were spinning it made your senses lose control not knowing what was happening I felt my wolf press the top of his muzzle against mine as we held to each other.
"master...I want you to know...every moment with you...made my life wonderful...and my death worth waiting for you...it may be over soon...but no matter what happens know I love you"
I felt my body begin to tense as every fiber of my being started to scream in resistance the only thing I thought during that moment was...I love you to...
My eyes closed and I let everything just fade.
I felt really strange.
I felt like I was floating again...and this time I heard muffled voices.
My body felt heavy and I couldn't move, I tried to open my eyes but they refused to open to see my surroundings.
I tried to make noise maybe one of those voices could hear me, I let what I could out of the weakness I was feeling only to be able to let out a groan.
The voices around me became louder and less muffled, just enough to make out some of it.
"Try again!"
"Come on Dachii...don't die"
"I think its working"
I thought I did die...what was going on?
I felt a massive breath of air enter my body and it made me feel a lot better, so I tried again, I was able to move my fingers slightly just enough for me to feel my side.
I slowly opened my eyelids seeing the bright white light flowing down upon me, and then my eyes started to adjust and see everything.
I was in a large room with beeping machines next to the bed I was laying in and I was wearing a small plastic looking thing with tubes attached to it on the tip of my muzzle, and there were blankets covering me.
I turned my head slightly to the left and saw what overjoyed me...I don't think anything at this moment could change it unless I died again and this was my final heaven.
Right there was most everyone I knew Tye, Ferron, Roxy, Carlos, Ace, Zero, Thomas, Ray, Jay, and to my surprise that little eagle with the scientist...
Tye ran up and grabbed hold of my neck "Dachii I'm so glad you're alright" he hugged me.
"Your lucky to be alive, why would you run away Dachii you almost died" Ace half yelled sounding almost like he was going to cry more than he was angry.
Carlos patted him on the back trying to comfort him.
I felt I should speak "all of you came here...to help me?" I asked
"Every single one of us" Zero blurted out sounding strangely cute.
"then...I have something to say" I said, letting Tye let go of me and step back "thank you...all of you...it feels kind of strange that I'm still here...feels like I've been through a lot more than I thought I could have ever imagined... I don't know what compelled you to all want to be here but what ever the reason I'm going to say...I love you guys...and I really don't know how my life could be any better..."
But then something happened that made this moment truly blissful was that walking right through the crowd of people in the room was my wolf, he stood there standing next to where I was laying and smiled.
"It looks like we made it master" he kneeled down and kissed me and then I heard the others in the room gasp like something strange was going on.
They were all staring at my wolf but how could they see him?
He pulled away from the kiss and looked back at them.
"they can see me when I'm touching you master..." he touched my leg still looking at them as they made the same look again, he let go "this is going to be a fun world yet again master" he smiled and walked to the other side of the bed and stayed there "I don't think I should freak them out to much I think they all want to see you master" he stood there still smiling down at me
The others seemed still a little scared at the sudden random appearance but Ray spoke up.
"Is that the one who was waiting for you?" he asked me quietly
I nodded weakly and he smiled in a way that made me feel like he understood now.
The others there started to talk amongst themselves trying to figure out what was happening but they did get closer each one talking to me and telling me how they felt I guess they all had gone through things while I was gone.
When Thomas came up he apologized to me but I didn't understand right away and then he pulled out that electrical device that sparks and broke it.
He must have been the one who took me down back there.
"I'm sorry about all of that Dachii, I did what I had to... you were a possible threat before with that stunt you pulled escaping the lab with no plan or at least informing me, but I guess I should have seen this coming I didn't really help when it came to your dismissal"
I smirked slightly he was just doing what he was supposed to do and I can't blame him...plus if he hadn't killed me I wouldn't have been able to save my wolf so I guessed we were even.
"Well there's no harm done now, I'm alright just my back still hurts" I tried to slowly sit up feeling the pain shoot up my spine as I stretched.
"You shouldn't stress yourself so much Dachii you have been laying there for a while" Tye said grabbing my arm.
"How long have I been out for?" I asked curious to know how long I had kept them waiting.
"About a week" he answered.
"And what happened during that time?" I don't know why I asked I just felt the urge to know what was going on.
Tye explained how Thomas had shot me a few times with multiple tazer darts to take me down over doing it just a little, and how Ace and Ray rushed on to the island to stop Thomas but were just a tad to late for that but had gotten there fast enough to rush me back to the lab and I've been here since then.
"you know I visited everyday...hoping you'd wake up...I felt really strange while you were gone like a part of me was missing...you've always been there for me...it's hard to let go of my best friend..." Tye said leaning his head on my arm.
I didn't really know what to say so I grabbed hold of Tye and hugged him.
The day went on and eventually they let me out of that bed, it felt almost like my first time walking again so weakly but I caught my balance.
Carlos, Ace and Thomas went off to a certain office and did something they called 'paperwork' about me and told me that I could finally go home.
Tye definably let me stay with him and he was overjoyed to see me exploring the place like I couldn't before, he even let Ray stay for a while until he could get back on his feet and wait for his grandfather to get out of rehab.
I introduced Tye to my wolf it was quite an interesting conversation they had discussing who he was and who he was supposed to be I know it made Tye a little happier knowing his pup ended up connected to me even if he could only see him some of the time.
So now I could say my life was really worth it if I looked back at all the things I had gone through and how everyone struggles through this...I say I deserve it...no...I say we deserve it, for everything we've done and everything we change in the future, it looks like my life can truly be peaceful for once...I have my friends, my family, and my mate.
And now I can finally live it out...the way everyone should.
But after 2 weeks I finally remembered something important, the reason why I was so urgent to get back to Tye.
I looked around the house and finally found my friend in his room while I could hear his mates showering off in the other room.
"Tye?"
"Hmmm... Dachii you doing alright?"
"Yes ... but I wanted to ask you something"
"Go ahead and say it Dachii I'm listening"
"Remember that promise we made...to travel the world...?"
He looked up at me with a sort of a half smile on his face.
I held out my hand "would you like to join me?"
End of Chapter 19
The End?
there it is over and done i hope you all enjoyed the series and i thank all of those readers who took the time to look it over, comment, rate and fave... thank you and i'll be sure to start a new series soon.
oh and before i forget the reason it says The End? is because i have a little inspired idea, the story doesn't have to end here so if i get enough encouragement i might just try a few side chapters but it's completely up to you readers out there.
please comment on the story i love to know what my readers think and i thank all of those who have been commenting through the whole series, your words have been very inspiring to me and it makes me always want to continue.