Lost Creek Hollow only suffering can teach

"nunataq can take care of herself. i can take care of myself." he was being cruel; his montone remained the same, even as he saw the shadow of anguish pass across indra's face. merrick straightened; in this way, he was almost as tall as her, and would certainly overtake her before another handful of months had passed, if not by a scant few inches. "everyone leaves. papa. you. maybe nunataq will also."
and it was only in that moment that the boy realized he was only frightened of losing his sister. indra he loved, but indra was betraying him now, and merrick's heart had hardened.