Redsand Canyon A step towards death and the moon is pale

When the call rang out, he didn't want to believe it at first. He'd put his mom on the backburner in his mind, especially since the assignment at Akashingo and the birth of Towhee's pups. He didn't think she'd come back. 

But he walked, and saw her figure in the distance, and it wasn't hot enough today for a mirage.

Mom, he replied, voice bouncing off the jagged canyon walls. He moved up into a trot and met her halfway, stopping just shy of embracing the small tawny woman.

It was awkward. He shuffled his paws in place. Somebody had to say something.

He supposed it should be him.

You're back, Killdeer managed, in a voice more a croak than anything.