Ouroboros Spine All I have to do is breathe

It is late, he remarks to the child, as if reminding them of the hour might spark some warning in them, but he did not continue the subject beyond that.

The girl wanted to see the stars and there was only one way to do that, Kigipigak reasoned, which is why they had set up their bedfurs here. As he had no intention of forcing her back to the rendezvous site, the only thing Kigipigak could do was linger nearby and serve as an observer, in case anything prowled in the night.

She was watching him. He did not know what to say now. Her eyes lingered on the curve of his older face scars which he had almost forgotten about, having become so used to them, and almost grimaced from the attention. Kigipigak grunted softly through his nose. He looked away from her and through the trees, then up, trying to spy anything overhead.

There are many clouds. It will be hard to see the stars tonight. But she could try, he would be here.