Whitebark Stream Rough Waters

They were nimble as they danced from stone to stone; beneath them, like a waiting beast set to grab and pull them under, was the dire reflection, scrambled to the stones. He did not think to move closer until the unfortunate happened. When the shadow slipped, falling obscured to the water, he felt his heart seize with deeper sorrow and he lunged for the water's edge. For a moment the man had forgotten his usual creed of be cautious, be safe as he rallied to the stranger's aid.

No sooner did he meet the water's edge with his burdened steps did the shadow's face pop free. The chaos of the moment subsided as they swam to safety and pulled themselves out, dripping but undamaged, and that left him lingering awkwardly along the river stones. The shadow's coughing roused a sense of concern within him and so he drifted closer, as silent as he could be considering his size.

He thought to say hello, yet words failed him too quickly.