Ouroboros Spine snow blade

Up the mountain, through the passages of the village trees, and secret ways known to children; avoiding eyes, mostly the winter-man if he lurked.

(Wishing too to be caught. Wishing to confront! To shout! To run. Conflicted.)

They came to the sleeping-place of grandmother and upon entering, spared glances between siblings before —

We are leaving. The announcement rushed out of him. The most he had spoken to any adult in months! There would be no room for discussion and he made this clear with the resolute set of his jaw.

His eyes wandered a little though, his ears twisted; listening, hypervigilant.