The crowd seemed suddenly released from the Machiavellian control of the old
sick rat. Justin didn't really hold any grudge against those who had followed
Erik, for really, they had nothing to do with it. They had been misled by a
twisted and brilliant mind.

Justin turned to the crowd and began to talk slowly:

"I know that what happened here today was horrible, but I don't blame
any of you for it. It was entirely Erik's doing. It appears that he had an
illness that none of us knew about, an illness which resulted from what he
underwent at NIMH."

Justin did not speak of Rebecca, he was too grief-stricken, although she was
much on his mind.

"I...I'm stepping down as leader. I can't do this anymore, I want to
return to my duties as captain of the guard. Conrad would be a better leader
than I."

All the rats were staring at the floor, full of guilt over what they had
allowed to happen. They did not protest.

And then, he saw Conrad arrive with Mr. Ages.

Conrad walked painfully, his face and body wrapped in many bandages. Justin
moved through the crowd towards them.

"Congratulations," Justin told him. "You're the new
leader." He smiled regretfully.

Conrad's face was shocked. "What about you?" he asked. "What
are you going to do?"

"Oh, I'll return to my post as captain, eventually." Justin
answered. "But first, I'm going away."

"Are you ever coming back?" the young rat asked, full of doubt,
sadness in his eyes.

"Don't worry," said Justin. "I'll be back in a month at the
most, unless I change my mind." He stepped back and gave Conrad a friendly
salute.

Justin returned to his apartment to collect a few things, packing them into
a large bag. He would wait for midnight, and then he would leave Thorn Valley and
the Rats of NIMH behind him.

When he found himself on the outside, he didn't really know where to go. He
still mourned for Rebecca, tears flowing idly down his face. He was certain now
that he would never know another girl like her. He would continue to pursue
other girls, but it could never be like before.

He turned to the north, and walked until dawn. The more he walked, the
farther and farther his grief seemed to fall from him, as if it were anchored
in Thorn Valley.

He would surely return to his home, but for now, he didn't want to hear
other voices. He hoped that Conrad would manage all right; he would find out
when he returned.

He continued on, pausing only to eat some of the grains he carried with him.
He didn't stop to rest until the following night, when finally, he fell into a
deep sleep. He did not dream.

On the third day of his journey, he finally realized where he was going: to
the rose bush, or more specifically, to the Brisby home. Perhaps he was trying
to retrace his steps, return to the beginning, become as he was before. He
didn't wish to impose on Mrs. Brisby, but he felt a great need to return. He
had the feeling that somewhere, there were people who would be happy to see
them together.

He lost his way occaisionally, for he wasn't sure of the exact route. He had
hoped to have enough food to bring him safe and sound to the farm, but when he
finally arrived, he was half dead from hunger.

He stopped in a wheat field, stuffing himself to the exploding point.

As he looked around, thousands of memories flashed in fragments through his
brain. He saw the imposing silhouette of the rose bush, and a kaleidoscopic
array of images paraded through his head for a long time. Beyond the farm's
fields, he could see the battered harvester where Ages had made his home, and
the large Fitzgibbon house.

About five hundred meters from there he would find a large arched rock. He
knew that the Brisby house lay just beneath it.

He remembered that Nicodemus had died here, and took the opportunity to pay
his respects at the grave, near the place of his death. Then he got up, and
walked in the direction of the rock.

It was Martin who saw him first.

He was amusing himself by skipping stones by the pond, when suddenly a large
rat emerged from the wheat.

He could not believe his eyes.

He had long wished to visit Thorn Valley, and now here was Thorn Valley
coming to him! Martin immediately recognized the ex-leader of the rats.

"Justin! Justin!" Martin ran to meet him. Justin swept him up in a
great bear-hug followed by a manly handshake.

"What are you doing here?" Martin asked, joyfully.

"I was in the area, and thought I'd drop by for a visit," he
answered.

"But aren't you still leader of the rats?" the little mouse
continued.

Justin sighed, his face melancholy. "It's a long story. I'll tell it to
you one of these days."

They continued towards the house, Martin tagging along energetically behind
Justin, pestering him with questions. Justin cheerfully responded to each.

Finally, they reached the Brisby home.

No one was ouside except for Teresa and Cynthia. Teresa was helping Cynthia
with her hair, but when she saw Justin, all the strength seemed to go from her.
She had dreamed of Justin returning one day, but never thought it would ever
happen.

Cynthia responded as Martin had, running clumsily toward him while Teresa
followed at a more ladylike pace.

Justin crouched down to their level. The children surrounded him, flooding
him with a never-ending stream of questions. He laughed.

Suddenly a little voice came from inside the house.

"Children? What's going on?" said Mrs. Brisby as she emerged from
the doorway.

She stopped dead when she saw the cause of the excitement.

Justin looked at her, and in the eyes of the little mouse, was the memory of
Rebecca.

"Hello" was all he said.

He was home.