Two Eyes Cenote víscera

She hoisted herself onto all fours, then gave herself a good shake. She didn’t hear Bushtit’s protest, though she saw it and grinned. But karma came for her when he mimicked her a couple seconds later, splattering Towhee right in the face.

Why, you little, she sneered, threatening him with a shaking fist before busting up laughing. Do you know wh—

Movement caught her eye and she saw Soto’s familiar face drifting toward them out of one of the dark hallways. He had an inscrutable look on his face, though that wasn’t unusual. Towhee did another little shake as the boy greeted his father with a wave.

What brings you here? she asked.

She shivered a little. The lowlands were a bit warmer than the more northern territories, yet it was still winter. Why had she thought swimming was a good idea? Towhee glanced at Bushtit and saw his teeth chattering. She felt like a total heel.

Prodding Bushtit toward Soto, she said, He’s cold. Maybe you can warm him up a little?

-“You don’t have to if you don’t want to,”- the youngster said as he took a tentative step. -“Mom, I don’t think he’s gonna know what we’re trying to say…”-

He doesn’t have to speak our language to see that you’re a shivering child, Towhee said, locking eyes with Soto and willing him to get it.