Activity

Quin

 

Leytera turned and smiled. “Always.”

 

Always. Shivers ran up his spine that didn’t feel like the cold. He smiled, and watched her make her way over to Niarok for the blanket. After a few minutes’ conversation, she came back, and Niarok brought the blanket to Qatar. Quin sighed in relief.

 

Niarok can handle him.

 

Leytera sat down, but didn’t say anything for a few minutes. Then, “What happened back there?” she asked. “I was too busy getting glared at by Yila.”

 

Quin glanced at Yila. Of course you were.

 

“I’m not very sure,” he started. “Qatar slipped off; I didn’t think that was a good idea, so I followed him, but it was dark and I couldn’t see. It was tricky going, and then I guess I fell. I woke up with someone setting me down on the ground next to Qatar, but he was wet already.”

 

And everything hurt, just like that day.  He shifted a little, feeling his hurt ribs. It’ll be stiff tomorrow. Or for several tomorrows.  

 

“I—I guess it was a stupid thing to do, trying to follow him like that. I should know by now that I can’t keep up with him.” He gazed off, past the fire at the place where Qatar and Niarok were.

 

Just then [because I don’t want to add what Leytera answers; go for it if you want to, Denali] a thin, desperate voice floated over the snow-covered cave.

 

“Hello—is anyone there?”

 

Quin looked toward the voice, but what he saw made his stomach flop. A man, staggering with weakness, his face almost as white as the snow, one of his legs covered in blood.

Which leg is it? WHICH LEG?

Quin leaped up without even grabbing his crutch. His heart thundered in his chest and ears. He clutched at Leytera’s shoulder, trying to steady himself. Nightmares stabbed through his mind, and his left leg started to throb again.

 

No, no, no.

 

Then Leytera’s hand was on his arm, urging him to sit down. He sank back down, half falling over with his bad balance.

 

Leytera’s big eyes searched his face, looking for an explanation.

 

“Flashbacks.” He grunted. “Of when It happened.”