Sun Mote Copse I just wanted you to watch me dissolve slowly

With a soft sigh, Alyx settled herself down beside a burbling stream and watched the water slipping past the pebbles lining its bank. It reminded her abruptly of the swollen river and the rapids, which thankfully hadn't become a lasting fear, and that in turn reminded her of her brief time with Rusalka. Of the sunny-faced boy whose smile made her breath catch in her throat. Even now, she didn't get it, but the feeling of missing him pierced her breast all of a sudden.

She heaved another sigh and struck out a paw to smack the water's surface. The air was getting colder and so was the water, she realized with a shock as it bit at her toes. She ought to get up and do something useful, but instead, she began rolling a pebble beneath her dripping paw pad and chewed on her lower lip, seemingly deep in thought.