Sun Mote Copse the halluci nation

Meerkat could only manage two words: I know.

She kept crying for a little while after that, knowing Fennec didn’t mind. It was cathartic. She wept for her sister’s plight and for her son’s. Meerkat also grieved for her own losses, curling around the old scar inside her that had been torn open and bled freely. With every puling whimper, she could feel it begin to scab again.

At long last, she sat up and pulled gently from Fen’s grasp. She wiped at her face, feeling a little embarrassed for how wrecked she must look. Meerkat had the distinct sense that she was an ugly crier, a thought that had a little laugh popping from her mouth. It was followed by a world-weary sigh.

Thank you, Fen. I’m glad you’re here, she murmured.

It was the truth, even if she wouldn’t have held it against Fennec for leaving if it meant she could achieve happiness. Her sister deserved as much, Meerkat thought with quiet ferocity. She would never stand in her way, so help her. But as long as part of her wanted to stay here, then Meerkat wouldn’t take her companionship for granted.