Otter Creek Falling to pieces

"That would be pretty rad if that was actually true," Junior said with a laugh. She was a bit too old and worldly to believe in such tall tales, yet it was fun to play make-believe sometimes. "Those would've been some huge eggs, especially Pura's! No wonder —" Realizing what was about to slip out of her mouth, she bit down on her tongue. No wonder your mom died! What a horrible thing to say. Junior shot Saēna an apologetic glance in case she guessed what Junior had been about to say.

"So our parents have totally abandoned us," Junior said a moment later, trying to recover the air of camaraderie she might have almost spoiled. "I mean, we can't really blame your bio-mom but where's Kisu? And then mom — Hawkeye mom, I mean — ran off into the sunset. Haven't seen her since. And dad now too. I thought the chicks left the nest, not the other way around. Isn't that what they call irony? Especially if we all end up back at the plateau without them."