Sun Mote Copse This is the thread that never ends.

Penn stared between the blurred lines that the forest before him had become. He wanted Wraen. He wanted Eljay. He didn't consider in that moment how terribly his older brother was likely to take this news. He knew only that he was utterly heartbroken and he didn't have his parents to run to. So, his mind went to the next closest thing, even though he hadn't been previously aware that he even thought of his eldest brother in that way. He barely paid attention when Towhee moved and made her request. He didn't really hear her words until he noticed her staring at him, then he had to think back. What had she said?

"They're outside the borders," Penn said robotically, shaking his head. He understood what Towhee wanted on some level, but every part of him rebelled against going back. He didn't want to see them again. Not like that. He wanted to see them alive. He couldn't go back and see them...

He looked helpelessly into the trees again. Where were they? He couldn't do this. He couldn't do this alone. He couldn't.