Shaynen frowned. High above, on the tallest ledge Shaynen reached, was Reo. Sitting as if he always belonged there. Shaynen huffed and climbed up his climb holds. Suddenly, now that he could climb, everyone was taking over his territory. What did Reo think the markings were for?

He climbed up onto the first ledge and shook out his hands. Pausing for only a moment before climbing up to the next ledge. His hands started hurting instantly, but he kept climbing. His more recent hand holds were rough and needed more traffic and more shaping, but that could wait for later. For now, he reached that second ledge and looked up to the next one.

Reo wasn’t paying any attention to Shaynen below. Instead, keeping a steady watch over the roads. Shaynen took only a brief pause before climbing up toward his most recently reached ledge. He felt the strain nearly immediately. Shaynen kept pushing through the pain and shaking in his muscles to get up higher. Cresting the ledge and surprising Reo.

“Jeez Shaynen, you just about stopped my heart!” Reo scooted over so Shaynen could climb up beside them. “What are you doing?

“What are you doing? This is my rock.” Shaynen said, standing up and pointing to his carving.

“Oh, is that what those mean?” Reo looked at the crude drawing. “It’s a pretty good flower.”

“It’s not a flower.” Shaynen snapped.

“Oh…. Uhm.” Reo squinted at the drawing to figure out what it was.

“Why are you up on my ledge?” Shaynen asked, crossing his arms.

“Since you spotted those people nearing, your father wants someone watching all the time.” Reo said. “So, right now, that’s me.”

“Why couldn’t you find a different ledge?” Shaynen asked.

“This one is perfect. Don’t you think?” Reo grinned and Shaynen looked at the ledge.

“Yes. I do.” He said, “But does this mean I have to share now?”

“Yeah, I guess so.” Reo shrugged. “Is that the worst thing in the world?”

“Yes,” Shaynen huffed. “Why do we have to keep an eye out for people? Wouldn’t having people passing by be a good thing?”

“Yes, but they’ll never know we’re here if we don’t see them first. Plus, think of all the dangers that could wander into our camp.” Reo leaned back against the wall and looked around Shaynen to peek at the road.

“Why?” Shaynen sat down cross-legged and stared at Reo.

“What do you mean ‘why?’” They asked.

“Why do we have to flag them down? What kinda dangers are going to wander into our camp?” Shaynen asked. “Why can’t we just build more walls? Has anyone gone looking for nearby people or something?”

“All right, one at a time.” Reo pat Shaynen’s hand to signal him to slow down.

“Have we looked to see if anyone’s nearby?” Shaynen asked slowly.

“We have.” Reo said. “Crina and her group have scouted all along the mountains. There're signs of life a little farther on, but nothing less than a day’s travel.”

“Oh,” Shaynen nodded. “Are we going to make a long trip?”

“We can’t really spare it right now.” Reo shrugged. “Don’t have enough people or supplies.”

“Which is why we need to catch people passing by?” Shaynen asked.

“That’s right,” Reo nodded. “Maybe we can establish a trade stop and build a large oasis.”

“Ooh, like Feypost?” Immediately after saying the ruined town’s name, Shaynen felt his throat close and his jaw tighten. Even Reo shuddered, and the color drained from their face.

“Yeah. Like that.” Reo cleared his throat. “Uh, do you have some chores to do or something?”

“Not really.” Shaynen shook his head. “Dad already turned me loose for the day.”

“Ah.” Reo looked into the distance with a dread in their eyes. “Well, I’m trying to do my job, which is very important. So why don’t you run along and find somewhere else to play?”

“No, this is my rock.” Shaynen snapped. “You go find somewhere else to do your job.”

“That’s not quite how that works.” Reo shook their head. “If I did that, I’d get in trouble with your dad. Neither of us wants that.” Shaynen crossed his arms and huffed.

“No. I guess not.” He said. He looked down at the ground below. “It’s not fair.”

“Life’s not fair, kid.” Reo shrugged. “You get used to it and make the best of the bad situations.” They looked back at Shaynen and leaned to look him in the eye.

“How do you think you could make the best of this situation?” They asked. Shaynen scowled and glared at the ground harder. Reo looked back at the roads. The sun beat down hard, with no cover to protect from it. Shaynen felt his skin baking in the sun, his thoughts soured at the thought of another sunburn on his shoulders.

“I’m not leaving cause you made me,” Shaynen announced. “But because you’re boring and it’s too hot.”

“Right, it is unreasonably hot.” Reo agreed. “Go take a swim or something for me, will you?” Shaynen shrugged.

“All right.” He said. Sliding off the edge and climbing back down the rock. He climbed his way down, flashing the last lap and landing neatly on his feet. He ran off into the camp.

The citizens were taking care of the camp. Setting up a new building made of stone and the leather from the giant stags. A few leftover wooden planks were used as well. Firewood being stacked and the next meal being prepared.

"Hey dad can I get in the water?" Shaynen yelled, already stripping his shirt and tossing it to the sun bleached rocks.

"Yeah, go for it. But stay out of the current." His father yelled. Shaynen jumped into the water and instantly froze. The sudden change in temperature delivered a punch straight to his chest. He surfaced and gasped for air. Shivering and sliding his wet hair out of his face. Scouting around, he spied the currents that swept visibly quick toward the opposite end of the pool. Where the river continued along in the mountains.

“Did you hear me?” His father yelled.

“Stay out of the current!” Shaynen yelled back.

“And stay in the shallows!”

Shaynen shook his head and swam about the pool. Dunking under the water to grab at strange looking stones. The best looking stones went into a pile Shaynen saved by the waterfall. He had a sneaking suspicion the rocks were falling back into the water and being carried back to their place. Because of the pile’s changing size and the suspiciously similar looking rocks he found in the clear waters.

“Hey Shaynen,” Crina approached the water’s edge with one of her scouting baskets. He turned and swam toward her. “Can you dive and see if you can snatch any algae?”

“Any what?” Shaynen asked as he stood up in the water.

“Green plant like stuff that grows on rocks when it’s sunny.” Crina explained. “Do you see any?” Shaynen looked around the rocks nearby him. He ducked and swam about the shallows.

“No, I don’t see much.” Shaynen said. He stood up again once he reached waist-high water. “I think there might be some in the deeper parts.”

“Okay, I’m sure Reo would love to fetch some later when he’s done with his shift.” Crina smiled.

“I could,” Shaynen said. “It’s not that deep.”

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Crina shook her head. “You’re a natural above water, but you need a bit more experience before you’re able to go below water for a long time. You didn’t just climb all the way up the tree when you were born.”

“Yes I did,” Shaynen objected. Planting his fists on his hips.

“No… You weren’t even able to walk when you were born. You had to learn.” Crina sighed. Strain laced her voice.

“I don’t think that’s how that works.” Shaynen shook his head. Crina shook her head.

“Okay, you have fun then,” Crina turned with her basket and left back to the meal prep. Shaynen frowned and looked at the deeper end of the pool.

“Don’t you even think about it!” His father yelled. Shaynen scowled at his father and stomped his foot in the water, though it didn’t show above the water. He waded about in the water, trying to make his own fun, but the moment had passed. So he trudged his way out of the water and laid out on a rock to dry.

“You done playing in the water?” His father sat next to him.

“Yeah,” Shaynen said. “I could’a gotten the stuff from the deeper ends.”

“Maybe someday, but not right now. You can’t.” His father said.

“Yeah, I could!” Shaynen sat up insistently. “I could have!”

“If you say so,” his father shrugged. “But, just so you know. It is okay not to be amazing at something immediately.”

“I am amazing at everything immediately,” Shaynen laid back with a smile. His father could only laugh.

“You are something else,” his father said finally. “You carry that confidence with you the rest of your life.”

“I will,” Shaynen said. He slid off the rock and found his shirt. Sliding it over his head to keep the sun from burning his shoulders. “What’s mom doing? I hardly ever see her anymore.”

“You saw her less than an hour ago.” His father chuckled. "Why don't you come with me and we'll go for a walk?"

"Can we pick up mom along the way?" Shaynen asked.

"Sure, why not?" His father said, "I bet she'd love to go on a walk with us."

"Yes!" Shaynen jumped off the rock and ran toward the stairs. "Hurry up!" He motioned with exaggerated movements. His father jogged after him.

“I’m coming, I’m coming.” he laughed. Shaynen was already up the stairs and running for the roads. Calling for his mother and asking if she wanted to go for a walk. His father flashed out of sight. In his wake left rapidly melting snowflakes and a chill, bypassing the stairs and catching up with Shaynen in a second. The quick appearance of his father drove Shaynen to run faster. Screaming with laughter.

“Slow down!” His father tried to keep from laughing. “We’re going for a walk! It’s not a race!”

“I wanna race!” Shaynen yelled. His father slid to a stop, panting. Realizing he wasn’t being chased any longer, Shaynen stopped and turned around.

“Too fast for me, kid.” His father said.

“Really?!” Shaynen laughed. “Betcha mom can run faster!”

“Betcha she can,” his father chuckled. “You’ll have to ask her.”

“Ask me what?” Shaynen’s mother came from the fork in the road. Rubbing her hands together and flipping the extra moisture off her hands.

“If you wanted to go for a walk with us! And if you can run faster than dad can.” Shaynen looked back with a cheeky grin at his father.

“I’d love to go for a walk with you guys,” his mother said. “I dunno about the race, but I think a walk would be lovely.” His mother slid alongside his father and slipped her hand into his.

“How far are we going?” She asked as they strolled down the road. His father shrugged.

“Wherever we want,” He said. Bumping her shoulder with his. Shaynen rolled his eyes at his parent’s displays of affection. Missing entirely when his mother whispered worriedly to his father. Instead, Shaynen looked at the ground and bounced around the rocks and cracks in the ground. Humming his little uneven and chaotic tune.

He rounded the corner and paused, crouching low to watch a little cricket hop along the rocks.

“Chirp, chirp” Shaynen mimicked the sound of the cricket and hopped after it. He couldn’t hop as far as a cricket, and the insect disappeared along the landscape in the time it took Shaynen to blink.

“Oh, it’s gone.” Shaynen said disappointedly. He got back up to his feet and ran back to his parents. Ducking behind and forcing his way in between them, separating their hands so he could hold them instead. He skipped unevenly, swinging his parents back and forth.

“Did you hear Crina got some sprouts going?” His father asked conversationally.

“No, I haven’t yet,” his mother responded. Their quiet conversation about vegetable availability went over Shaynen’s head. He was more concerned with seeing new bugs. His chaotic humming was interrupted when his father jerked to a stop.

“Hey, wha-”

“Shh.”

Shaynen shut his mouth. His father was staring up into the rocks, unseeing but listening. On the other side, his mother stood just as still.

“What is it?” Shaynen asked as quietly as he could.

“Kiylla.” His father said, shifting Shaynen into his mother’s arms.

“Dad?” Shaynen pulled away from his mother to grab his father’s hand again.

“Go with your mother.”

Shaynen pressed against his mother’s side. She began backing up, maneuvering Shaynen so that he was behind her, but not under her feet. Shaynen strained to hear whatever was alerting his parents. He heard the sounds of the falls, the harsh choking of the scavenger birds overhead in their nests. Even the small sound of the breeze was as normal as it could be.

“I don’t hear anything,” Shaynen tugged at his mother’s shirt. She didn’t look at him. Her head made slight movements, looking around the narrow roads. Then Shaynen realized as an offensive smell crossed his nose, his parents didn’t hear something wrong.

“It’s like the trading post,” Shaynen murmured as he shut his eyes and covered his nose. Brief flashes of Feypost crossed his vision and forced his eyes open again.

“The others,” his father turned abruptly. Before Shaynen could yell after him, his mother grabbed his mouth so nothing came out. His father ran and his mother gave Shaynen a rough push.

“Keep quiet,” she instructed and held his hand so tightly it hurt.

“What’s happening?” Shaynen whispered as they pulled him into a run. His mother didn’t seem to hear him, as she didn’t answer. She pulled him forward, and he quickly found it harder to keep up with her. At the speed his father was running, Shaynen felt he was only weighing his mother down. He tried to wiggle his hand from hers, but she only clenched it tighter. Half-stepping to slow down enough for her to jerk Shaynen ahead and grab onto his wrist. He gasped for air as his mother stopped abruptly and he hit the back of her legs.

Shaynen could barely see straight as he realized his parents had been letting him win all this time. He looked up but only barely glimpsed the camp behind his mother. Seeing not the sun-bleached white clothing the settlers mainly wore, but dots of black. Shaynen pushed against his mother to see more, but she pushed his face harder into her side.

“Take him and go,” Shaynen heard his father say.

“Don’t! You can’t-” His mother darted forward, leaving Shaynen’s eyes uncovered for a short period. He watched his father running toward the edge of the basin where the camp was made. Shaynen’s eyes locked onto the one finished building and the skeletal one next to it. Giant flames held them tightly and broke them to pieces.

His mother jumped back and knocked Shaynen over. Without a sound, she grabbed his hands and lifted him up to his feet. Her face was stone. Looking over his shoulder made her eyes widen. Shaynen turned to see what had made her react, but he was seized and lifted into the air to his mother’s shoulder. She flashed with him crushed tight to her chest. Her flash came with the smell of blooming flowers and hundreds of petals that drifted in her wake.

The light hurt Shaynen’s eyes. He rested his head on his mother’s shoulder. Light glinting off of his mother’s dragon pendant. Even though the flash ended, Shaynen could still feel the mental fog blinding him. His heart was pounding in his chest as his mother ran. He found the pendant and gripped it in his hand. Its warmth generated by his hand gave him a little courage.

Shaynen opened his eyes as his mother slid to a stop and twisted. He looked up at his mother’s harsh breathing. Her eyes were wide and her grip tightened on him until it hurt. Shaynen held his mother’s pendant long past the point of pain.

His mother slid to a stop. Her frenzy bled into Shaynen. He held the pendant tighter. His mother did the same to him.

“Nothing that is beloved is ever lost. Keep us in your dreams.” She whispered. Shaynen looked up but caught sight of the other end of the cliff road. At the far end was the doctor and two identically dressed strangers. Shaynen breathed in sharply. His grip for a split second failed him. His mother adjusted her grip and before he could grab her tightly again, she thrust him away. A burst of static numbness gave more power to her throw. Shaynen’s grip didn’t stand a chance against it, neither did the chain holding his mother’s pendant. The clasp shattered, as did the water’s surface, breaking his fall.

Shaynen was caught in the quick paced current before he was fully submerged. The shock of cold water forced a gasp and more water flooded in. He flailed and kicked to find air, breaking the surface to choke. His limbs hit hidden rocks under the water. The water carried him away rapidly, pulling him under just as fast as he could surface.

He caught a last look at his mother as he bobbed in the water. She was shoulder to shoulder with the doctor, falling lower with every resurface.

Shaynen sputtered through the water, unable to make any noise. The fist holding his mother’s pendant was nearly numb from the pressure. His awareness hit him harder than the rocks below the surface. The sounds of the roaring falls weren’t getting quieter. They were increasing. He twisted and saw where the river vanished over the edge of another fall.

His heels hit gravel as the water shallowed. He pushed himself into rocks, but he hit and slid right off the smooth river rocks. Shaynen spat the water from his lungs in time to fill them with air and close his eyes.