The Light We Share

Chapter 4

     "Nightowl! There you are!" Early Bird cried worriedly. She embraced her sister tightly. "Where have you been?!"

     Nightowl made a shocked, almost frightened noise, tensing as her sister hugged her. "Oh...umm,"

     "What's wrong, Night? Are you ok?" Purple asked, approaching the sisters, Luna and Catrin at her heels.

     "To be honest, no, I'm not ok," she said, breaking the hug and sitting down. She put her face into her hands and took deep breaths. "I went into the Wasteland,"

     "You what?!" Luna cried, kneeling down and grabbing Nightowl's shoulders. "Are you hurt? What happened? How are you still alive?!"

     Catrin placed a reassuring hand on Luna's shoulder. "Let her talk. Just calm down."

     Luna nodded slowly and released her grip on Nightowl, sitting down nervously, waiting for an explanation. Early Bird, Purple, and Catrin all sat too, waiting.

     Nightowl took a deep breath before beginning. "I hadn't heard the news. I thought everyone was already down in the Wasteland. If...if I'd known, I'd never have gone. There were so many Dragons.

     "I was constantly looking over my shoulder, diving behind cover. I was so nervous. I'm still shaken. I almost got caught once. I nearly had a heart attack.

     "I'd made it to the graveyard and nearly made it out, but I was caught. I thought I was done for. I was near the exit when I was spotted. But I was saved—"

     "By whom??" Luna asked, fidgeting with her cape.

     "She was gonna tell us before you interrupted her," Early Bird said flatly. "Continue Nightowl,"

     "I was saved by the Wasteland Elder," Nightowl continued. "He stepped between me and the Dragon. He shoved it away with his shield and took me to his temple.

     "There, I learned the situation. The Dragon eggs. The increased danger. How we're not supposed to go to Eden. And I suggested establishing a council to agree on a plan to deal with the issue."

     "What did he say?" Purple asked, leaning forward a little.

     Nightowl looked over at the lapping waves around the island. "He liked the idea of the council, but when I volunteered to be the researcher of the council, he didn't say anything. I might've overstepped my boundaries. I just wanted to help!"

     "It's alright, Nightowl," Catrin said gently. "I know you like to help. So, I don't think he took it the wrong way. He knows you, right?"

     "Yeah. We're acquaintances or something like it," Nightowl responded.

     "Honestly, I don't know what to think of it," Early Bird said, tucking her hands behind her head. "I am, however, grateful that you're alive."

     "You and me both!" Luna said, her voice high and nervous. "I'm so glad you're ok!" She gave Nightowl a tight hug.

     Nightowl laughed, hugging her friend back. "Thanks Luna. And thanks everyone for your concern. It's nice to have people who worry about me,"

     Her friends gave their positive affirmations and chirped in their favorite voices. Nightowl laughed again and pulled out her piano.

     "Care for some music?" She offered.

     As the night drew on, the friends (and sisters) played their unique instruments to different songs. Some to sheet music from different Seasons, others they'd learned from other sources.