Bramblepoint the world we know is turning

Her introduction stuns him. While the girl continues to talk, he hears only bits and pieces  (maybe because of her impediment, maybe because he realized  she is right and this new understanding feels like drowning) and quite suddenly blurts, "No! I'm not --- I told you already, I'm Screech!! I'm - my older brother is Rannoch, I am a warrior --- bears! I fight bears! I don't have ---- you're not my sister!"

Even while he's refusing to acknowledge her, fighting the embarrassment of the discovery, Titmouse knows he is telling lies and just trying to hold on to a truth that has never been real. He's backing up, forgetting the skull, and escaping - scampering back from this girl with her familiar name even though he just wants to be home with her.