Four

A sparkling green portrait of Graeme and Greta painted itself on the wall of Maggie's room before the bits of it fell back into the air, dissipating around her.

"That was wonderful, Sage," Maggie exclaimed, turning with tears in her eyes to praise the boy in the room next to hers. "Thank you so much. They have grown," she added, blinking quickly as the tears escaped, falling onto her cheeks. "They have grown so much," she giggled, wiping the tears away.

"They miss you," Sage told her, knowing it to be true. It was always palpable whenever the alyko came up—the sadness of the brother and sister for the dear friend they had lost. "Alpha feels guilty."