“Stop ... rest.”

At the stop everyone stopped in their tracks.

Rest ... everyone was in the woods.

Movement to the wood had the mice straightening the evidence of our passing.

To hide our scent the mice peed. I didn’t ask why.

The fine cheeks and pussy was chewing ... something.

“Why aren’t you eating?”

I had no response.

She handed me a hard, dark piece of mystery.

I nibbled ... my mouse nibbled. The flood of flavors astounded me.

‘This is what I’ve been missing.’

‘My whole life.’ My insanity answered.

“Sleep.” Came the command.

The girl/woman had a large hooded cloak that she wrappwd about her.

“Where is your cloak?”

I had no response.

She covered me.

“No fooling around.”

“You have to be kidding.”

I slept.

During the night, I woke.

Something ran the trail ... snuffling. It did not stop.

I slept.

I smiled. Now I know why the nice peed.

The birds signaled the sun.

I woke ... refreshed

‘This is MY spot ... keep out.’ ‘Go away.’ ‘I’m sitting here ... get out.’ ‘Get out get out get out.’

“They sound so cheerful,” I said.

“They’re protecting their space.”

She shared the hard and dark. It was better than before.

“We’ll get you some weapons when we get there.”

“I’m slow.”

“We keep pace with the slowest.”

“Why aren’t I leading.”

“You are ... like a general or admiral, you lead from the rear.”

My feelings were as ashes.

We ran all day.

Three sleeps.

The village.