Redhawk Caldera i can feel your halo

She spent the day alternating between crying and sleeping fitfully. Whenever she woke, she curled closer to @Bronco, clinging to him as if he were a buoy in a stormy sea. When Towhee stopped by to check on all of them, she let go of him just to latch onto her mother. She cried a bit against the Sovereign's neck, then calmed down enough to relay the story in full. After telling her mother—and not to mention her late night talk with Fennec—she wouldn't say she felt better, though Meerkat felt slightly steadier in a way.

As another dusk fell, her thoughts turned toward the glen and she knew she must go back there soon, even though the thought made her insides twist. As much as she needed her family's support, she knew the glen needed her now more than ever. Meerkat hadn't been able to do much during the attack but she could help her pack mates navigate the aftermath. Although she was struggling herself, she thought maybe she would find some closure and healing in helping others cope with their mutual grief.

Before she went, she wanted to have a proper conversation with Bronco. They needed to catch up after all that had happened. That included telling him about Toad, much as she dreaded breaking the news. He was already hurting, the last thing he deserved was more tragedy. Meerkat exhaled softly as she regarded him where he slept, refusing to wake him. She would let him rest, wait him out, and hopefully be able to head out by tomorrow, while the weather was still calm.