We've arrived.

``See James, I told you it wasn't far.'' [Tony]

``Haah.. Haah.. That was, haaah.. two miles ago..'' [James]

He pants, sitting on the ground several yards behind the rest of us.

``Oh come on James, even Sarah could keep up.'' [Andrew]

``Why do you say ``even''?!'' [Sarah]

``Because you're a girl.'' [Andrew]

``So now I'm a girl?'' [Sarah]

``What are you talking about, you were always a girl.'' [Andrew]

``You all called me a boy and made fun of me ten minutes ago!'' [Sarah]

``I don't remember that, do you remember that Nathan?'' [Andrew]

``Nope'' [Nathan]

``Tony?'' [Andrew]

``I think I would remember having a brother.'' [Tony]

``James?'' [Andrew]

``Haah.. Too.. exhausted.. to.. tease.. haaaahh'' [James]

``See, he couldn't possibly have called you a boy, he can hardly breathe.'' [Andrew]

Sarah throws her bag down on the ground.

``UUUGGGHHH!!!!'' [Sarah]

And storms off.

``Wow, what's he so mad about?'' [Andrew]

``He just gets mad when you call him a girl.'' [Tony]

``Then he should get a haircut.'' [Nathan]

We always do this inside skit to annoy Sarah.

She acts really mad, but she still insists on coming whenever we go anywhere.

Well.

They are just kids. The jokes about her gender are probably going to stop once they realize that she is, in fact, a girl. James already started acting different around her, even if he doesn't really realize it himself.

``We should get our camp set up. Nathan, would you show me how to set up the tents?'' [Tony]

``Sure.'' [Nathan]

Tony wanted to go camping after I told him about one of me and my mothers recent training exercises.

We put our tents a few yards from the cliff edge, close enough that we can see the view but far enough that we feel safe.

We have nothing to sit on, so we just put our sleeping pats in a circle behind the tents, away from the cliffs.

When we're done, I take a moment to look out across the cliff. It's very high, 300 feet or so. The view is spectacular. There are small islands with houses on, dotted across the sea. Like the spots of a ladybug.

``You live in a house like that, right Nathan?'' [Tony]

I hear Tony say behind me.

``Hm? Yes.. My parents' house lies on an island like that.'' [Nathan]

``You know, I've never been to your house.'' [Tony]

``Not much to see. It's white and boxy. Nothing of interest, really. Well, except..'' [Nathan]

``What?'' [Tony]

``.. The night sky is spectacular..'' [Nathan]

``What do you mean?'' [Tony]

``Remember when we went to see the sunset from that old tree?'' [Nathan]

``The one where you got attacked by a boar?'' [Tony]

``Yeah that one. Remember the night sky just after the sun went down?'' [Nathan]

``Not really, no. It was just the sky right?'' [Tony]

``Yes, but it was every part of the sky. You could see everything. From one horizon to the next.'' [Nathan]

``Hmm.. Yeah, now that you mention it. I do remember. Just a little bit.'' [Tony]

``Now imagine that, but instead of the manaflies lighting up the trees below, there is a huge mirror that reflects the night sky. And just below that mirror it is bustling with life and color.'' [Nathan]

``.. I can't really imagine that. But it sound good.'' [Tony]

``You will see it tonight. Why do you think I wanted to camp here?'' [Nathan]

``I don't know. Never thought about it.'' [Tony]

``I wanted to see the sea at twilight. It is my favorite time of day.'' [Nathan]

``Why? Just means you're going to bed.'' [Tony]

Ah.. That's right.. He's just a kid. He has known this night sky all his life. He probably never thought about the planetary rings, how there's more than one moon, the stars, or the glowing life on the sea bed. He thought nothing of it, it was just normal.

And he has no idea why it should be appreciated.

Not that I blame him.

I was the same..

``One day, you might think differently.'' [Nathan]

I whisper, mostly to myself.

``.. You have that look in your eyes again.'' [Tony]

``What look?'' [Nathan]

``That look you get. I don't know why, but every now and again, you-.. You get this sad look on your face, and you just zone out. Is something wrong?'' [Tony]

``No.. No, nothing's wrong, I-.. I just-..... Don't wake up one day and realize you missed out on the good things in life.'' [Nathan]

Tony tilts his head slightly with a warm smile.

``Not often I hear you speaking informally.'' [Tony]

Ah..

``And you sound like my father. Really, you're just an old man inside.'' [Tony]

I'm not really old..

``You're just like grumpy old Rockspine!'' [Tony]

``Oh come on, I'm not that bad.'' [Nathan]

``He's totally old Rockspine.'' [James]

``No he's not.'' [Sarah]

``Thank you Sa-'' [Nathan]

``Rockspine is only grumpy when he's tired, Inkhead is grumpy all the time!'' [Sarah]

God damn kids.

We spend some time teasing back and forth before heating our dinner. We're all pretty hungry, so we don't really talk during the meal. After we're done, the sun is closing in on the horizon and we sit down in front of our tents with the sun in our backs.

``So what is it about this view that's worth that long walk?'' [James]

``This view? Not much. Sure it is nice, watching the sea from here. Beautiful even. But that is not why we are here.'' [Nathan]

``But you said w-'' [Andrew]

``I know what I said. We are here for the view we will see an hour from now, after the sun has gone down.'' [Nathan]

``What? But we can see that from the village! We didn't need to walk all the way here.'' [James]

``Sure, you can. But have you?'' [Nathan]

``Yes!'' [James]

``Really? Have you ever sat down and just looked out across the water?'' [Nathan]

``Well, no but-'' [James]

``It's not the same James. It's different. Sitting down and just appreciating the landscape, taking the moment to take it in. It's not the same as looking at something and going ``that's nice''. It's different.'' [Nathan]

``How is it different?'' [Andrew]

``Andrew, what's the best tea you ever had?'' [Nathan]

``Sundew with a sprinkle of lemon.'' [Andrew]

``Was it hot when you got it? Could you drink it right away?'' [Nathan]

``No I had to wait.'' [Andrew]

``And when it cooled down, how long did it take you to finish it?'' [Nathan]

``Well it took some time, it was still hot.'' [Andrew]

``Now imagine you got the same tea, but you poured enough milk into it that you could drink it right away. And you just gulped it down instead of enjoying it. Would that be the best tea you ever had?'' [Nathan]

``.. No, not really.'' [Andrew]

``It's like that.'' [Nathan]

``But I don't like tea, it's bitter.'' [Sarah]

I turn to her and smile.

``Maybe you will like this one.'' [Nathan]

We sit in idle chatter for a while before the sun starts to set behind us. As our shadows reach out across the sea, it turns from a deep emerald green to a dark almost blue color that reminds me of the sea of my old life. With a reminiscent smile of melancholy, I zone out for a minute, remembering my only remaining memory with my father. Being carried on his shoulders during a vacation to France.

``Look look, there's light in the water!'' [Sarah]

I snap out of my memory.

Hearing the wondering wows from the others around me, I look at each of the members of our little group. Andrew, sitting to my left. He's grown a lot recently. He used to be my height, but he's half a head taller than me now. James is sitting to the far right, next to Sarah. He's as whiny as ever, but he stopped giving up. Sarah is the same as ever though, violent little tomboy that she is.

And Tony, sitting in the middle of our group. He became more perceptive lately. He was always one to notice, but recently he-.. He notice things about you before you even notice yourself. He'll make a fine man one day.

And a fine friend.

We sit in silence as the sun drifts down across the horizon, revealing the stars and drawing the rings in vivid detail, unlike the murky portrayal I can see during the day. The Moons are up, shining bright and reflecting the waves of the sea as they roll to shore, even from this height.

As the life of the sea starts to glow, the sea and sky light up in symphony, serenading the moons and the stars.

We sit in silence as dusk turns to twilight, and to night.

``It's pretty cold.'' [James]

``Yeah, Andrew did you bring the heat crystals?''

``I left them by the bags.'' [Andrew]

``I will get them.'' [Nathan]

I push myself to my feet and stretch my back. If I remember correctly, the bags were over--.. There they are.

I find Andrew's bag and see a few crystals. I should probably take one for each of us, even if it's only Sarah and James that are cold right now.

As I reach down, I hear a noise from the forest.

Looking up, I see a small deer walking past fifty feet away.

Still nervous, I reach down into the bag.

The world turns grey. The deer stops in it's tracks, mid step.

My breath and movements freeze immediately, as the world slows down.

And twenty feet from me, a shadow roars into existence.

I hear nothing, but the mere presence of this-.. This being.. Shakes my very existence.. A deafening roar of silence.

It's moving.

It's moving fast.

Strides across the open field, with a pace I could not match if I ran with all my might.

Flickering left and right, it stops for fractions of a second every few yards, before resuming it's strides to the next point of interest.

It stops and looks at the deer. Standing still for seconds on end.

With lightning speed, it turns it's face to me, four glowing stars in the shape of a rhombus on it's head in the place of a face.

It stares at me, it's gaze piercing my soul and shattering my essence.

Two streaks of aurora draws out from behind it's back, stretching towards the stars.

I try to stand. I try to snap out of the trance, like I learned so long ago that it's second nature to me, but nothing happens.

It takes a step forwards. Raising it's hand towards me, the aurora twists from the sky and wraps itself around it's arm.

Realizing with horror that it's coming for me, I pull back with all my might.

Another step.

No.

Another, faster step.

Leave me alone!

It starts walking.

Not darting from place to place, it's moving with one singular purpose.

Me.

Away.. Stay away!!

The world snaps into color as I jump to my feet, loosing my balance entirely and landing on my back, panting heavily and feeling the sheer terror as the cortisol floods my system in an instant.

``What are you doing Nathan?'' [Andrew]

I look around puzzled.

The shadow is nowhere to be seen.

I hyperventilate for a few second before I sit back up.

``.. Nothing.. I just slipped.'' [Nathan]

I look at the crystal. It's lying on the grass, gleaming in the moonlight.

I slowly reach my shaking hand towards it, and touches it lightly, ready to pull my hand back with a moments notice.

Nothing happens.

Letting go of the crystal, I go back to my friends. They chat solemnly about their new experience, talking about the great beauty they just experienced.

Shortly after, they agree to tuck in, and lie on their backs enjoying the starry night from inside their tents, their heads resting outside the tents so they can see the sky, chatting lowly about tonight and the days to come as they drift off to sleep, one by one.

And I pass an anxious, sleepless night.