Whitebark Stream time don’t make it better

the blackbird followed each instruction given. each precise step was made with a steady exhale, though sometimes accompanied by a sniffle. he pushed his jaw forward and used his tongue to lick at the snot under his nose. 

the end of their plight was imminent. alsek could see the outside again and though he wanted to leap for joy, managed to contain his relief. he looked up at surya and smiled, then snuck through the adult's legs as though escaping from the depths of a dreary cave.

alsek watched surya complete his own extraction, then shrugged his shoulders and frowned. what happened?