Two Rivers Isle ricochet

In a moment she emerged and like a rushing river everything came flooding back.

Memories of a gentle face peering down at him, of the taste of berries, the aroma of fish dried crisp in the sun. And when mama and papa had left, she had been there, steadfast as a rock in the centre of a stream while all the world flowed against her. For the first time in his life, the boy thinks of how hard it must've been for her. 

Despite everything, she had remained a constant presence. Matteo felt his breath catch in his throat as her voice bridged the distance of what felt like a canyon between them. She seemed so far away now. 

A million words come to surface and yet he speaks none, jaws heavy and tongue too big for his mouth. 

She speaks of their birth, of Ines now long gone to who knows where. In truth, he remembers little but blurred figures and Iseul - she was there again, haunting his every thought. And finally, the anger comes bubbling back.

When he finally speaks his voice is cracked as if unused for many days. "You shoulda followed me," quietly, "if you were worried, you shoulda been there. An' now they're all gone." He felt so very small. "Ines was right to hate you."

Guilt sparks in his chest, too late to take back what had already been said.