Totoka River uuliktuk ☙

the man asked if she was alone, and kukutux parted her jaws to offer a weak lie before the stranger promised no harm to her. how could he know such fears lay upon her spirit? the duck was at once suspicious of him, but the feeling waned quickly. he was a man, after all — he would know what of what she was afraid.

"i am well, but not ... now," kukutux sighed, nudging the stick of salmon toward her polite new companion. "where are you going?" the duck blurted in the next breath, unable to stop herself. so badly did she not wish to be alone! not while the world breathed and snarled beneath her.