Emberwood So once for the bright sky, twice for the pig sty, thrice for another day

“Plegh!” A sputter and a cough later, green eyes found gold ones as she spat out dirt and debris. Her shoulder’s hunched, afraid of the backlash for her clumsiness. The tremors returned in anticipation, but she didn’t expect for the concerned tone from her aunt, which settled her. Slightly. The shivers never truly seemed to ease.

Shaking herself to settle the self-inflicted tension, she nodded, shyly. “I’m…I’m okay. I’m sorry…I wasn’t paying attention.” Her ears flattened apologetically, until a thought came to her and they bolted upright at attention, eyes wide in sudden dread.

“I didn’t hurt anyone, did I? Where are they?” She started to twirl in the dirt, frantically searching for squished children.