Shady

Tears began streaming down Ky’s face again. “If you die, then I’ll kill myself. I swear I’ll do it. I’ve wanted to this whole time anyway. And then it’ll be ...

“You have to,” Ky urged.

Ky sniffled again, but pulled herself up higher on Rönn’s shoulders. “Tomhas. Tomhas wake up.”

Ky sniffled and closed her eyes again.

“Oh… if I get down can you go faster?” She opened her eyes. “I don’t mind. I know the way back.”

“No.” She shook her head. “…Why?”

“No one,” she whimpered, voice quiet. “He lied.”

“I had to go after him,” Ky said defensively, not realizing he was talking to Tomhas. “He’d be dead right now if… if…” her throat was too tight to finish ...

She closed her eyes tightly. “It’s bad times.”

She tensed when he stood, not used to being up so high, but held on for dear life. She closed her eyes and focused on breathing slowly, trying to stay ...

She hesitated, then climbed on his back and held on tightly. (I am getting some training today on aging otoliths and found much better pics than I shared the other ...

Ky nodded. “Okay… but if I get too heavy you have to put me down and take care of him first, okay?” She wasn’t going to put up much of ...

“…Are you sure?” She asked hesitantly, but obediently stepped towards him.

Ky nodded, mechanically standing up. “You can go ahead; get him back faster than I can move. I’ll be okay.”

She nodded numbly, staring at the fire.