Redhawk Caldera kenton talks dead hikers

"I'm coo'!" little Killdeer insisted and Caracal couldn't resist replying, "If you say so, nerd." As always, his teasing was delivered with an impish look and an affectionate smile. He never meant any of it. It was his sworn duty to rib the younger male, though everyone knew they were the best of friends.

They hadn't walked more than a tenth of a mile when Killdeer demanded to know if they were there yet. Caracal snorted and looked over at his buddy. "Not even close," he assured, when a realization struck him. "Hey, are you okay to walk this far?" Never mind that neither one of them could really conceptualize what "this far" meant.

Glancing around and dropping his voice to a stage whisper, Caracal added, "Tell me if you get tired or scared or anything like that, okay? I won't tell anyone." All semblance of teasing was gone for the moment as he casually stepped into the role of protective big brother.