ime and obsessed with small animals and insects of every kind. Tiny fish and wart ridden toads, soil drenched worm

ity they always made sure it was well fed and cared for. I think the latter part had more to do with Raff’s ded

another, telling them I would only slow them down or get myself into trouble. True, they had a point about me getting them into to trouble

nd convinced Fynn to let me tag along, since their only plans involved a cooling swim down at what our

l and low, somewhere between a growl and a whimper. The boys said I was imagining things but I knew what I’d hear

as loud, angry. “This is your fault Raff! I

voice more exasperated than angry

h here and there to listen, and even with those short times of stopping I managed to keep ahead o

, the fearful whine turned into a growl and a half starved mutt ran out

an my arm. If it had once been loved, or an animal of some sort of domestication, there was no sign of it now

he least bit out of breath. “He’s gon

f, my eyes refusi

ke him home and feed him, he’

od, he’s past savin

just a stupid boy who doesn’t care about anything

with me. Raff looked back at it and t

get you out of here. Come on,”

ed, reefing

later he was there, a frown creasing his glistening

og. Half starved and scared to

an I could blink, it ran at me, its jaws snapping. Raff grabbed hold of me and yanked backwards, saving my hand

nt down behind me, locking his arms around me as I made a lunge for my brother.

ere,” he said, no

Fynn. The murderer stayed in view just long enough for me to watch him stand up and slide his tiny

it took three days before I’d look

others were down there, turning their horses with barely a pause before driving them tow

him through. When I’d finally realised that the little dog’s death had indeed been my fault, al

hat felt like every second of every day. If it were indeed possible for

precious glimpse of Raff, moving with such fluid grace in the fading light below. At least it would soon be ove

is how I find you? Mooning over boys in

ume my place beside her, every inch of my self rest

a newborn babe. For my future son, she’d said. I thought the exercise rather pointless myself, since any son I had wou

t ridiculous