Shaynen stayed in the same spot for the rest of the night. The night watch and drivers switched to the day shift. Shaynen had fallen asleep in the same position, and Ila fell asleep next to him. Even after waking up, Shaynen stayed still. He stared at the bracelet on his wrist. The way the light moved along the smooth beads. How the beads clicked together over the bumps in the road. He felt restless but couldn’t force himself to move. Ila woke up and stretched, sparing a worried look at Shaynen before their father came to see how they were doing.

“I don’t think he’s okay,” Ila whispered.

“Don’t worry about him,” Ila’s father whispered back. “His family’s gotten us into all kinds of trouble.” The words came like a cut right through Shaynen’s chest.

“But he’s my best friend,” Ila said. “I have to make sure he’s gonna be okay.”

“You can make better friends,” His father whispered. “Don’t follow him if he tries to leave. You stay with us where it’s safe.” Shaynen curled up tighter. He slid the bracelet back into his lap so no one could see it.

The rains softened but didn’t stop. Rations were past along even though the wagon didn’t stop moving. His mother came to sit beside him. He turned away.

“Hey, you hungry?” She asked, offering the rations to him.

“No.”

“You haven’t eaten in a while. Are you sure you aren’t hungry?” She asked, reaching down to mess with his hair.

“Don’t touch me.” He said and scooted farther away. “I said I’m not hungry.”

“Okay, we’ll stop tonight in the forest. It seems like the ick has been left behind us.” She whispered. “It’s going to be easy traveling from here. No more surprises.”

“I don’t believe you.”

“That’s understandable.” She nodded. “But just giving up isn’t the answer. What would happen if we just gave up? Nothing would ever get better. We have a responsibility to protect those who can’t protect themselves. Make the world a better place.” Shaynen peeked through his hair to look up at his mother.

“I don’t think I can make anything better,” Shaynen murmured.

“You can,” His mother reassured him. Putting her hand on his shoulder. “You just take on a little more than you can carry. You are one person, you won’t be able to move a mountain on your own. But you can move a rock before someone trips on it. Even the smallest act of kindness and mercy can change the world. In its own time.” She offered the bowl to him again and Shaynen took it slowly. She ruffled his hair and started to her feet.

“Mom,” He said before she could leave.

“What’s up?” She knelt back down again.

“What if you try your hardest to do a good thing, and it turns out bad?” He asked.

“That happens sometimes,” she nodded. “You just have to fix your mistakes and see the good you did, even if it didn’t end the way you intended.” Shaynen nodded and sniffed. Offering a small smile as his mother went back to her work.

Shaynen sat on the back of the wagon and let his feet dangle off the edge. He kicked occasionally as the wagon jumped and sprang him up. He avoided eye contact with the drivers of the second wagon traveling behind them. Watching the hooves of the stags leading the wagons. After a few days, Ila came to join him. Shaynen fell quiet when Ila sat next to him. They kept their feet tucked in instead of letting them dangle. He kicked awkwardly and watched the puddles pass.

“Traveling is kinda boring, isn’t it?” Ila asked, leaning down to watch the trails of mud left behind.

“Yeah,” Shaynen said. He drew in his feet and crossed his legs. Picking at the grooves in the wood and tossing splinters to the road.

“Sorry for whatever you heard my dad say.” Ila whispered. “I don’t think he meant it, not really.”

“It sounded like he meant it,” Shaynen said. A hint of bitterness crept into his voice.

“I think he’s just upset about mom,” Ila said quietly. “He thinks the sickness got her, like Lycita.” Shaynen said nothing. Casting a sideways glance at Ila. They were both thinking about the same thing. The spindly thing that had approached them after their fall. Ila shifted closer until they pressed against Shaynen’s side.

“You don’t think it was her, right?” Ila whispered to his shoulder.

“I don’t know,” He shrugged. He wanted to say more, but had nothing more to say. Instead, he patted Ila’s head as comfortingly as he could.

“I’m sorry,” He whispered.

“S’okay, I was just really hoping. Since you’d done stuff around that gross stuff and the sickness that you’d know better.” Ila said with a little waver in his voice.

“I don’t though. I think my parents know more than I do.” Shaynen said. “Mom said we wouldn’t have to worry about it anymore. Once we reach the pass, it’ll be fine.”

“And that means mom’ll be left behind. Sick or not.” Ila murmured. The wagon jerked and stopped. The sudden halt threw the two from the back of the wagon and into the mud.

“Whoops! Kids overboard!” Reo called and stopped the second wagon.

“Sorry about the sudden stop.” Reo hopped down from the driver’s seat and helped Ila and Shaynen back up to their feet. Crina hopped out of the first wagon and pulled her near white hair up into a bun. “There're some branches and logs in the road. We’ll have to clear it before we can continue.”

“Luckily, the rains let up. I heard from the front that the road looks pretty bad.” Reo said as they lifted Ila onto the wagon. They turned to Shaynen, but he was already climbing back up. “We might be out here clearing the road for a while.”

“Good, I was getting restless.” Crina stretched out and rounded the wagon.

"Wait, is it safe to stop here?" Shaynen called.

"We can't keep going, so it's going to have to be." Crina called. Shaynen shifted uneasily. He looked at Ila.

"I don't like that answer," He said.

"Yeah, but I think it'll be fine." Ila said. "What else can we do?"

"Take a different route?" Shaynen asked. "There have to be other ways around?"

"Why don't we ask?" Ila said. "The adults should be nearby.” Ila led the way through the wagon to where their father and Shaynen’s parents were coordinating with the leaders of the second wagon. A tree was down in front of the stags and the road ahead was fairly non-existent. A handful of adults were pacing the tree and brainstorming how to best move it out of the way. Shaynen jumped down from the wagon to approach the group of adults, but paused when he realized Ila hadn’t come with him.

He looked back at where Ila was still hanging out of the wagon. Shielding his eyes from the rain that was falling between the tree’s leaves.

“What’s wrong?” He asked.

“Dad said I need to stay with the group,” Ila said. Shaynen looked at them and then at the small group of adults that included their dad. He shrugged.

“All right then,” He said. “I’ll be right back.” Shaynen passed through the mud and the tied reins. Carefully avoiding the kick range of the stags. He walked over to the group of adults and hovered outside the circle, waiting for a break in the conversation.

“How long are we going to be stopped here?” Ila’s dad asked.

“We don’t know,” Shaynen’s father said. “The storm has torn down a lot of trees. It could take hours to clear the roads.”

“So we’re just going to sit here waiting for something to attack us?” Ila’s dad snapped, stepping forward into the personal space of Shaynen’s father.

“Do you have another idea?” Shaynen’s father asked in a stone's hard tone. “We’re open to suggestions.” Ila’s dad glared at Shaynen’s father. His mother caught Shaynen’s eye and quickly rounded around the two men to shoo him away.

“What do you need?” His mother whispered as she ushered him back toward the wagon.

“We were wondering why we don’t just take another route? There was that fork in the road a little way back.” Shaynen asked. His mother stood up and looked back at the two men still glaring at each other. Then she looked at the tree fallen in the road.

“We’ll organize a party to investigate the other paths.” She said. “Thank you for your suggestion.” Shaynen smiled and turned to get back into the wagon, but something struck his mind. He reached back and grabbed his mother’s sleeve before she moved away.

“What is Ila’s dad so mad about? He told Ila not to hang around me anymore. And Ila was asking about their mom.” Shaynen asked. His mother sighed and knelt down beside him.

“Sometimes when disaster strikes. People get upset about the bad things and want things to be resolved now, but don’t have any contributions. They just want what they want and want those in charge to make them happy at all costs.” His mother said, her face curled in rising annoyance as she spoke. “SOME people can be inconsiderate, selfish, and just-” A look of realization crossed her face.

“Sorry, hun. It’s a bit tough right now. We’ll look into those roads. Can the other questions wait until later?” She asked.

“I guess so,” Shaynen said. He shifted from one patch of wet dirt to a more solid patch of grass. His mother cupped her hand on his cheek and kissed his forehead. Shaynen turned back to the wagon and climbed up into it. Back in the dry, covered area where Ila was waiting.

“I told my mom about the other routes. She said they’ll send some parties to investigate.” Shaynen told them.

“Did you tell my dad?” Ila asked.

“No, he and my dad were busy.” Shaynen grimaced at the three adults, still in a quiet argument. “My mom says he’s kinda mad right now.”

“Oh, why?” Ila asked.

“I don’t think he wants to stay here while we clear the roads.” Shaynen said, sitting down on the ledge separating the wagon from the driver’s seat. “Which is what we were talking about too, so I’m glad we could help find a solution.”

“Do you think our parents will ever get along again?” Ila asked, sitting down on the ledge beside him. “What if they argue so much that my dad and I have to move?” Shaynen tapped his foot on the wood thoughtfully.

“I don’t think that’ll happen,” Shaynen said. “Mom said it’s cause of the disaster. So when the disaster is over, our parents will go back to being friends again.”

“You think so?” Ila asked.

“Yeah, I think so.” Shaynen nodded. He gave a smile at Ila, who offered a smile back. From out of their coat, they pulled the blonde doll out.

“Do you want her back yet?” Ila asked.

“No, I said you could keep her. I meant it,” Shaynen shrugged. Trying to appear careless, though, there was a pit of regret weighing him down.

“I named her,” Ila said. Playing with her fraying yarn hair. “I named her Thanya.”

“After your mom?” Shaynen asked, crossing his arms while staring at the doll. He didn’t like that name for her. But instead of saying it, he coughed into his shoulder.

“Yeah,” Ila said. “She had pretty hair like this, too. It was always so messy.” Shaynen nodded and looked out onto the road. Reo and Crina had gathered a small group to help clear the road. Ila’s father interrupted the group, storming up to the small group and pulling a few of them away. Much to the visible annoyance of Shaynen’s parents. Ila’s father looked up to the wagon, where he met Shaynen’s inquisitive gaze. Ila’s father glared at him and stormed toward the wagon.

“Uh-oh,” Shaynen said. Ila sat up and looked back to their father, storming at them.

“Why is he mad?” Ila whispered.

“I don’t think he likes me.” Shaynen said.

“Ila, get in the second wagon.” he commanded. Ila jumped to their feet.

“Bye,” they whispered before running toward the back of the wagon.

“Everyone else that wants to find another BETTER way. Head for the second wagon.” Ila said. Shaynen watched his parents turn and follow Ila’s father with renewed annoyance. Shaynen slid down in the corner. The people in the wagons shifted. Some leaving for the second and some coming into the first wagon. Shaynen could almost hear the arguing outside the wagons. He pressed his face into his knees and shook his head. Reminding himself in repetition that it’s just until they’re over the mountains. Just until they’re over the mountains. The second wagon cracked and the stags pulling it turned with a bellow of protest. Shaynen stood up and ran to the back of the wagon. Ila hung out on the back of the second wagon, holding the blonde doll. Shaynen waved goodbye, and Ila waved back slowly.

Shaynen sat down on the back of the wagon and watched Ila vanish down the road. He watched until the rain let up. Only a few people remained in the wagon, mostly adults, with only one or two other children keeping close to their parents. They organized and got a count of how many people still lingered. Of the original fifty-eight, there were now only thirty. Thanks to the amount that had defected.

“All right, the road is nearly clear.” Shaynen’s mother jumped up onto the wagon. “A few more minutes and we’ll be going again. Thank you all for your patience.”

“Wait, what about Ila?” Shaynen stood up and grabbed his mother’s shirt. “They aren’t back yet. We have to wait for them.” His mother looked down at him and looked up at the other faces in the wagon. Shaynen noticed their downcast looks. It didn’t escape him how most were avoiding facing his direction. His mother knelt down and took his hands.

“Honey, they aren’t coming back.” She said as gently as she could.

“What? I thought they were just going to scout the other roads.” Shaynen asked, his voice raising.

“They've decided they’re going to find safety on their own.” She kept her voice level despite Shaynen jerking away from her.

“But we can’t just let them go!” He was yelling.

“We can’t force people to stay if they want to go.” She said, “there are things we can’t change. Sometimes people leave us.”

“I don’t want Ila to leave!” Shaynen yelled.

“It’s a little too late to protest, honey. It’s already over.” His mother stood up and ruffled his hair before addressing the awkward crowd.

“Well, I’m going to find them.” Shaynen announced a,nd he jumped out of the wagon.

“Shaynen, you will get back in this wagon right this second.” His mother snapped so severely her words cracked like a whip.

“No, I’m being the bigger person here.” He said, prompting a snort from Crina in the driver’s seat.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” His mother said. “Now get back here.” Shaynen started walking backwards down the road.

“Yes I do. They’re our responsibility. We have to make sure they don’t get into trouble.” Shaynen yelled as he put more distance between them. His mother jumped from the wagon and hit the ground running. Shaynen stumbled to turn and run. He looked at the trees, knowing he could never outrun his mother. A hiss of wind and a warm burst of sunlight flashed behind him in a shower of flower petals. More panic seized him. Flooding him with chills and electric currents. He sprang forward and felt his mother's hand pass through his shoulder as he flashed away in a golden light.

Shaynen's mother stopped. Her eyes watered in pride and rage.

"Aelius! He flashed!" She yelled. Her surprised pride changed to anger. "He flashed! That little brat!"

"Calm down," his father said as he ran up behind her.

"I can't! I'm proud and pissed all at once!!" she yelled.

"We know where he's headed," his father pointed out. "You stay here, I'll go find him." His father started running down the road as his mother watched.

From the trees, Shaynen watched the conversation. His heart was pounding in his ears. Yellow and orange leaves floated down to the ground from where he sat crouched in the trees. His face contorted into a hysterical grin. He giggled and started forward through the trees with a proud smile. The wagon wouldn't leave without him and his father. That gave him time to think about what he was going to say to Ila's dad to make them come back.

Shaynen didn't dare return to the road. His father had been out of sight for a while, but that didn't mean he wouldn't try doubling back. Shaynen tried running and trying to flash again. While he could conjure golden sparkles and even a few leaves. He felt sore in a way he'd never felt before. Similar to phantom limb syndrome for limbs he'd never had.

It didn't tire him out, at least not enough to stop him from running and hopping from tree to tree toward the break in the road.

He bounced off of one branch and into a gap in another tree's trunk. Stopped by a change in the wind, blowing the smell of smoke toward him. There were distinct smells smoke could have. Like smoke, that was an intentional fire started with moss or accelerant. Wildfire which always had a very thick smell due to how much burned in so little time. And the smell of accident fire. Fire that unintentionally burned something made.

This smoke smelled of an accident. Shaynen adjusted his course and ran toward the smoke. While smoke crawled through the trees, the actual smoke wasn’t anywhere in the branches. He followed the smell at full speed until exhaustion slowed him down. Shaynen paused briefly as he wondered if his father had got there before him. Or if he was just getting hopelessly lost among the trees. That thought pushed him to speed again.

Shaynen glimpsed light dancing on the trees, casting shadows that pointed him in the right direction.

He jumped out of the trees and rolled to stop along an improvised dirt road. The landing was a little hard on his ankle, but the dull throb didn’t register right away as he caught sight of the fire.

Flames had destroyed most of the structure, but that didn’t hide the remnants of the second wagon. Slaughtered in a bloody heap in front of it was the pair of stags meant to pull it. A puddle of black ick mixed into the blood.

“Ila!” Shaynen cupped his hands around his mouth to yell. No clue to the group that manned the wagon was visible. “Ila!”

The bushes shook. Shaynen spun around to face the noise.

“Ila?” Shaynen asked hopefully, creeping slowly toward the bushes. A pair of eyes that were so black they absorbed the light from around them peered back at him. He gasped and recoiled from the bushes. Black eyes emerged, belonging to a gangly wolf, black ooze matted into its fur. The wolf crept out of the bush with its bloody teeth snarling. The wolf crouched. Shaynen jumped to run, but a bright ball of fire flew over his head and incinerated the rabid beast.

“Well now, where did you come from?” A well dressed human asked. Appearing from the other side of the wagon.