The Black Lion

Freckled Sky

"There's a good picture," Syrah smiled at her camera. "Guys we should try having the sky in the next photo."

The dark navy blue sky was freckled with stars. Starlight and Stormy's glow-in-the-dark backpack were the only source of light in the cool night. I constantly thought of what I left back at home. What if mom was sick? What if something terrible was happening to her and I wasn't there to help?

"Ruby! Careful with these rocks! They're really hard to climb," T advised, calling down from the top of the high ledge. "Here".

He reached out a hand for me, his large eyes clear and reflecting the image of the stars. I took it and hauled myself up to the top rock. The view was breath-taking. There was no other way to describe it. I didn't want to go back home.

"This is perfect!" Syrah set the camera at an angle below us. "I can see our silhouettes against the sky from here. I'm taking the picture in three seconds."

I looked up, completely mesmerized by the billions and billions of stars. I wanted to look at all of them, every single star and feel its warmth. Then I heard the click of a camera.

We took a few more pictures, all very beautiful and unique. Natalie and T managed to set up a large campfire, cracking and hissing angrily. I noticed Syrah's camera near T and reached for it. Carefully I put the strap around my neck and looked at the pictures.

"Guys," I called everybody over. "Look here, we don't have a picture with the entire group in it."

"Yeah, Syrah's not in a lot of them," Maya nudged Syrah. "We need a group picture."

Syrah let out a shy smile and I handed the camera over to her. "Let us hope we all get in the picture," she quietly hoped as she flipped it around so the front of the camera faced us. I looked right at the lens and smiled slightly.

Syrah raised her voice as we all shifted closer towards her, "Taking the picture! In three...two....one....".

She turned the camera to see the new picture. All of us were in the frame and our faces radiated happiness, shown from the light from the campfire.

It was the most beautiful picture I had ever seen.