The Tangle la mer

backdated to 12/25

no one knew anything. no one had seen anyone. no one had been of any help, whatsoever. and the normally positive Tahani was beginning to lose all hope.

the pale healer entered the thicket, a ghost among the dead weeds. the dying sun cast long shadows over her pelt; she felt as if they were demons clawing at her, tearing her flesh. she felt enough pain for that to be true, anyway. she couldn't remember this much pain, ever.

pain, inside and out. she hurt. and the most prominent pain of all was the loneliness that went bone-deep. it was a dull ache, a hunger for companionship, and yet, with all the conversations she'd had over the past days, it had not been sated. no, only her family would do.

only Currituck would do.

she kept on going, for she feared that if she stopped, she would be overwhelmed at last by sorrow. she must keep going, for her daughter's sake. she must.