Swiftcurrent Creek A sons grief

Etienne tried not to take it personally that Cambria was leaving. That his back had been turned, that he hadn't called out. But he couldn't quite hide the hurt from his face.

He was aware of Odessia behind him. He turned to make sure she was okay. He knew she was fragile right now.

Slow motion movement. He watched as the bird flew up. He flinched without preamble. Birds still to this day making him nervous. But it was not himself that the feathered beast went for. It was the she wolf. Etienne stared in horror and then yelled. His mother's tongue jumping unbidden.

Bondye mwen. Sa k genyen ladan l? Poukisa! Odessia! Mete ou atè.

He shook his head. Odessia! Get down. and he turned to bare his teeth at the bird.