Otter Creek just a reflex

The boy lingered, pressing Lane with more questions. Even at her most boring, apparently Lane was still the most entertaining thing he could find. Despite herself, Lane felt her resolve softening. The boy seemed genuinely curious.

“Mmm.. no..” Lane murmured, answering his last question first. “I wouldn’t store meat here, it’s not defensible..” Her brow furrowed. Honestly, she wasn’t really in a position to be leaving a meal behind, but that was a little too embarrassing to admit to a stranger.

“It’s medicine,” she explained. To demonstrate, she bit into the leafy green part of the plant and pulled, detaching it from the ground. She chewed and swallowed, then raised a brow at the boy. Would he try it? For some kids, curiosity knew no bounds.