Heron Lake Plateau i.x : who was only a stranger at home

The woman looked confused for a moment, which made Maegi think she had fudged the name. But it seemed, soon enough, like it made sense in some fashion. The girl winced slightly when she mentioned Blackfeather, though was determined to hold her gaze. And then she spoke of another--and Maegi wasn't clear about what she meant, exactly, but she meant to sort this out.

She would try, at least.

Screech, she said softly, shaking her head. I knew him as Mou. She sucked in a deep breath through her nostrils, wondering where--how--to begin.

Blackfeather, yeah, Maegi said tiredly. Mou--Screech--ended up in the forest somehow. I knew him from elsewhere. The whole thing with your packmate. . .that was an accident. He fucked up. But we helped her escape. She got out, but I don't know where she went. Is she not here, now?

Without waiting for the response, she went on quickly, almost tripping over the words as she did so. Anyway, I haven't seen him in a while. But then the other day, I-- Maegi swallowed, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as the fabrication bloomed in her mind. Just as horrible as if it were real. . . I caught his scent on the wind, with blood. A cougar had gotten to him. I f-followed its trail, I tried to help, but by the time I got there. . .

Maegi shuddered, shaking her head and letting the tears spill down her cheeks. I couldn't save him. The cougar wouldn't let me near. And I know you all wanted to get to him, but he's gone. It's too late. Her breath was ragged and shallow, her heartbeat pounding erratically in her chest and up her throat. There's nothing left. Oh, gods, I loved him so much--

I know you think Blackfeather is terrible, she broke off her sobbing, looking mournfully at the border guard. But it's not like it used to be. What Mou did didn't involve us. And I guess fate found a way to punish him for all of it.