When The World Breaks

Chapter Two

A day or so later, the same woman sat at a small camp. It was obvious it wasnt permanent, for there was only a simple tarp hanging over a tree branch and a small area cleared of sticks and leaves to provide a place to start a fire. The woman used a knife to whittle a stick, making a sharp point at the end. She still had her hood up but was no longer holding it so securely in place.

"Look who I found!" Kyle yelled, making the woman drop her stick.

"Kyle!" She scolded, "What have I said about doing that?" The woman turned and glared at the bird, not noticing the small boy who stood beside him.

Kyle sighed, "Not too."

"That's right." the woman smiled a little, turning her attention to the boy, "May I help you?"

The boy stuttered, "Um... I w-was wondering if you would..."

"Would what?"

"...help me get home..."

The woman smiled softly, "Of course. Are you lost?"

The boy nodded, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Oh, don't cry." The woman took his hand, "I'll get you home."

"T-thank you, miss." The child wiped his eyes.

The woman smiled, setting him down on a log, "What's your name?"

"Charlie."

"Well Charlie, just give me a moment and I'll find out where you live." The woman took out a book from her bag and flipped the pages open, seemingly looking for something. Finally, she nodded, reading a passage in the book. "Alright," The woman closed the book and placed it back in her bag, "are you ready to go?"

Charlie nodded, "Yes, miss."

The woman took his hand again and started walking, Kyle flew above them occasionally landing on the woman's shoulder. "Where are we going?" the bird asked.

"Just past the aspen grove and to the cottage near a stream." The woman responded.

Charlie looked up at her, "How do you know where I live?"

The woman shrugged, "It was in the Book."

Charlie looked back down, not really understanding but assuming it was one of those things only adults were allowed to know.

"How are you doing?" The woman asked him.

Charlie paused, "I'm a little thirsty."

The woman handed him a glass of water, "Here you go."

Charlie stared at it skeptically, "Where did you get it?"

"The glass of water?" The woman shrugged, "It was in my pocket."

Charlie frowned, "How was it in your pocket?"

"I got skills."

They fell into silence. The woman sped up her pace and walked in front of the boy. Kyle landed on his shoulder and Charlie smiled, petting the bird's head.

"Who is she?" Charlie asked, gesturing to the woman.

Kyle frowned, ruffling his feathers, "I don't entirely know. She keeps most of her hidden, even I do not know what goes on inside her head."

Charlie stopped walking, "Surely you must know something?"

"Eh." Kyle shrugged, or tried to.

Charlie frowned and started moving once more, processing the new information.