Echo: The Perfect Leo Route (Contains MAJOR spoilers!)
This work contains major spoilers to Echo, Leo's route. If you haven't already, please read Echo before reading this.
As the train jerked forward lightly and started to pick up speed, I noticed that Leo was running to catch up to the five-car freight. I instinctively held my hands out of the caboose for my ex to get him up to the train. “Take my hand, Leo!” I shouted over the clattering of the train wheels on the metallic, rusty railroad. Leo gripped my paws and swung his lower half to the safety railing of the caboose. He was sweating, his hands all slick and slippery, and I can feel him trembling over the clacking of the train. I gathered myself, taking a deep breath before finally pulling Leo, with the help of Kudzu and Carl, into the caboose car.
After Leo is on the caboose, he said with a tremble in his voice, “Thanks, chula. You saved me from this shithole of a town, Chase.” I blushed and replied with, “Echo is a living hell, literally. I’m glad you’re back here Leo.” We entered the inside of the car and just sat there, heading towards Payton. We sat in silence for a few hours until Kudzu broke it with, “Hey Chase? I’m hungry. Whatcha got to eat?” I ruffled through my dusty bag and pulled out a few protein bars. I gave one to Kudzu, “This should keep you satisfied until we get back to Leo’s house in Payton.”
A few months have passed since we left Echo for good. Leo and I have decided to get back together as I dropped out of college, with him explaining that I can work with him at his parents’ auto shop. I was in the middle of cleaning a customer’s car when I heard a familiar, soft-voiced lynx call me by name. “Chase? I got something for you and Leo.” I motioned to the car that I was cleaning and plopped the rag down on the windshield. I walk over to TJ, who is carrying a present. That’s right. It’s been three months since Leo and I got back together. I start to open the present when TJ stops me. “Save that for when everyone is here. We’re hosting a party here in the auto shop for you and Leo.” I nod and reply with “Thanks a lot Teej, I’ll go ahead and put this behind a few toolboxes.” TJ then nods in response and strafes out of the shop with a bounce in his step. Weird, TJ isn’t usually that happy. Maybe this was a sign that our past in Echo is finally over?
I continue with finishing up the customer’s order and finish deep cleaning their now shiny, sparkling car, with five coats of wax as requested. I give the keys back to the customer and head to the present that TJ gave me earlier to hide. It’s almost time for the party, so I close the garage door and lock the front and back doors. I also flip the OPEN sign off as I close the shop early. Leo, TJ, Kudzu, and Carl arrive to the shop and I invite them in. Jenna is still in Pueblo to finish up her psychology degree. I have no idea where Flynn is, probably still in Echo to clean up the now-deserted town. Even thinking about the trip we had a few months ago still sends shivers down my spine. I sit down in the middle of the garage with Leo in front of me, TJ and Kudzu on either side of me, and Carl just watching from the office doorway.
I open up the present with Leo, knowing that it’s our 3 month anniversary together. It’s a picture of me and Leo back when we were in high school. It brought tears to our eyes. I was so happy for such a gift, knowing that Leo and I are now college dropouts. “There is one more present, from me to you chula,” Leo said in a joyful tone. I looked at him curiously as he stands up, one hand behind his back. “Chula…” he said as he starts to kneel down and present a jewelry box that’s already propped open. “Will you marry me?” I squeaked with joy and hugged him. “Yes Leo! I will marry you!” I exclaimed. The small group of friends that were with us at this moment started to applaud in excitement and congratulated the both of us for such a big leap in our lives. I am an otter, my fiance is a wolf. Sure some people won’t approve of inter-species marriage, but that won’t stop us from living our lives to the fullest!