A mysterious past, an unrequited love, and a desperate need to find himself, fifteen-year-old Kalyn has enough to occupy him without being on the verge of a massive societal upheaval. Join Kalyn and his friends as they explore what it means to come...
Alone again, the silence presses in on me. Every noise shatters my nerves. I almost wish I had stayed with Teak... but just barely.
Out here is where I find my destiny, and I can't have anyone ruin that. No distractions, no hindrances. I can apologize to Teak when tonight is done, and I have my Incarnate.
As an outsider, I have so much more to lose than he does. He couldn't possibly understand. I will need to be at my best to make it tonight, especially after Elder Pashal's half-hearted blessing. Absently, I twist the leather bands on my wrist and think of home.
What if I don't find anything? Will they let me stay? This lack may be the final proof that I don't belong, cementing visibly what many already feel to be true. Tonight will be a sign to me as much as anyone else.
Still, out here, I feel more alone than I ever have. Sound seems to be repressed by the thick undergrowth. If there is anything, anyone, out here but me, I can't sense it. Darkness envelops my world. I wish I had brought a lantern. There is no path that I do not make for myself. I struggle through vines and branches, accepting the scrapes as my due.
I search for hours, first cautious, then bold, then desperate. I don't know what I had expected. Something more exciting perhaps. If not discovery, then at least danger. Adventure. What I find is a whole lot of nothing.
I lose my breath, either from exertion or panic, and steady myself against a solid oak. This is exhausting. This is hopeless. I sink to the cold ground. The cry of an eagle overhead breaks the stillness.
Sleep is out of the question, but a rumbling in my belly convinces me to make my way back to Teak. When I arrive, covered in mud, he is munching comfortably by a fire. At his side, is a new acquaintance. He apparently catches my surprise.
"Oh, he wandered along after you left... I think he smelled the food." Teak offers the raccoon, propped on its haunches beside him (in an uncannily similar sitting position, I might add), a strip of food, which it takes between its two front paws and chews contentedly. An exasperated laugh escapes me, and I sit cross-legged by the fire.
"I'm sorry," I humble myself to say. Still Incarnate-less, this apology comes earlier than I had intended, but I am beginning to think that it may be better now than not at all. Teak shrugs again and prods his pack in my direction. We three eat by the fire in companionable quiet.
"Did you find anything?"
The disappointment is too much to voice. I shake my head. Even the raccoon seems to take pity on me.
"Tough luck." To his credit, Teak actually seems to mean it. "Well, I'm turning in." He eyes the tent warily. "It would be uncomfortable, but..."
"No, I can't sleep yet."
"Of course. You're right," he encourages, stretching. "Good luck."
The tent flap falls shut behind him as he crawls into his misshapen but hard won shelter. The raccoon shoots me a glance before following. There are still hours before dawn. I haven't given up yet, but maybe it is time for a change in tactics. Teak found his Incarnate here. Should I let mine come to me?
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