Sleepy Fox Hollow the universe offers a paradox too great for the finite mind to grasp

Kallik winced as Siku shouted at him. He had tried to prepare himself for anger from his son, but it didn't lessen the sting of it. Siku didn't know him, and that was Kallik's fault. Guilt and despair swelled in his chest and made it feel so tight that he struggled to draw in breath. He knew that anger and yet, he had still made his father's mistakes. 

A young wolf appeared and moved to stand near Siku, asking if he was alright. Kallik could see the uncertainty in his eyes as he looked between them. 

Kallik stood when Mahler arrived, offering a stiff nod to him in greeting. It hurt to feel like someone was protecting his own son from him, but he could see how upset Siku was, and he didn't want to make things worse. He felt like he was only doing more damage. He didn't know how to fix this, and it was clear nothing was going to happen today. This was his punishment for leaving his family—seeing anger and distrust in his son's eyes.

He nodded again at Mahler's words. Nothing he said would make Siku feel any better. With one last look at his son, he turned and left. Maybe he should have told him he would be back, or that Siku could come see him whenever he wanted, but it didn't seem like it would help. 

He returned to Mereo without his son, and with a heart full of shame.