Whitefish River pair of dice

With a sigh, Meerkat flopped down beside the water. She hadn't found any poppies today and needed a break before she continued. She panted in the hot sun, scooting a little closer so she could dip her toes in the river. The water was blessedly cool. She closed her eyes, trying to slow her breathing and keep her mind clear for a few moments.

But, of course, it proved impossible. Meerkat's eyes popped open, staring into the middle distance as she contemplated what she was doing with herself. She should head back to the caldera, at least to check in with her mom and siblings, but she couldn't bring herself to do it. More and more, she realized she didn't want to live there anymore, even though it would mean missing out on her younger brother's and sisters' lives. She couldn't stomach being forced to witness her older brother's and sister's lives together.

Where else could she go? The obvious choice was Moonglow, though she discarded it as an option. She adored Kukutux and Sialuk but she didn't want to live in a place with so many memories. If she was really going to uproot her life again, Meerkat wanted to plant herself somewhere entirely fresh and new. Or maybe, her inner voice helpfully suggested, don't put down roots anywhere. You could just keep traveling.

Pushing herself upright, Meerkat stretched. She wasn't sure what she would do and she kept changing her mind. But for now, she began loping further north, following the winding river in the general direction of the coast and keeping her eyes peeled for any glimpses of red.