Lost Creek Hollow Butterflyfish

The beautiful girl with glassy eyes was the first to approach them. Swordfish waved his red tail at her, pleased to show that he was a familiar face, that he did not intend to bring harm to their healers hollow.

Her eyes were trained on the Mereo man. She did not look the same as she had. She was cold, now. She was quiet and fierce and frightening. Swordfish didn’t understand. He glanced between the man and the girl, shuffling upon his sandy paws. Tired and worn to the bone, he was ready to have them open the door and begin their work…

But when the dark star approached, it was with a cloud of sadness so great and heavy that even Swordfish could not stand beneath it. He saw Crowfeather’s tears. He heard the desperate crack and stumble of his voice.

Swordfish stepped back, to the side. He put distance between himself and whatever this was. When he could not find a place to set his eyes, he let them fall upon Silvertongue. Silently, he pleaded with her to break the weight of this meeting.