Twenty Two

A stream of clear water waltzed down the slope of the mountain, with tidal pool rocks sitting on the water bed. The water glinted in the sun, crystalline and cool. Hibis sat on a minuscule boulder on the banks, fiddling with her necklace, her thoughts adrift.

“Hey,” Alistair said, making his way out of the trees and into the small clearing. Hibis smiled at her colleague before looking out to the horizon again. “Hey.”

The boy settled himself down beside her, dipping his feet into the stream. “How did finding Ace’s memory go?”

“Mm, alright, I guess.”

“What do you mean?”

Hibis pursed her lips, turning to face Alistair. “He didn’t tell us anything. Ace was stony the whole way. Something he saw must have troubled him.” She sighed, gripping the necklace. “I wish I could do something about it.”