Ocean's Breath Plateau Black

She still hadn’t breached the entryway of the den—she wasn’t ready to see the tragedy that waited inside. It was only when Kukutux arrived that she followed, reverting to a meek demeanor that she had left behind long ago—a girl desperately in need of her mother’s guiding hand.

The air was heavy with grief, suffocating her, and it was too much to bear. She buckled under the weight and reclined, eyes finally seeing her sister’s lifeless body. She watched, stone-faced, crying, and cold, as they mourned and she couldn’t look away. The image of her sister’s face would forever be imprinted in her memory and haunt her while she slept.

Eventually, she was given instructions, and she simply nodded to what she’d been told. She was robbed of the joy she should have felt in hearing that Sialuk had milk. Her head swung to the man, and she she nodded to him, too.

Her tears spoke the words that her mouth could not.

When is was time to go, Ariadne stood looked at Kukutux. “I would like to return when they are safe with Sialuk,” she requested, her voice weak and defeated.