ed.Ohirdday,Iwalkedhomewithouther.

    Istaggeredintothecamp,exhaustedanddepressed,hopingnottotalkatall.Theothershadnotworriedforthefirstfewdays,butbytheendoftheweek,theydgrownanxiousanduled.Aftertheybuiltafireandfedmelesoupfromacopperpot,thewholestorypouredforth—exceptfortherevelationofmyname,exceptforwhatIhadnotsaidtoher."AssoonasIrealizedshewasgone,Iwenttolookforherandtraveledasfarastheriver-bend.Shemaybegonefood."

    "Littletreasure,gotosleep,"Smaolachsaid."Welleuplan.Anotherdaybringsadifferentpromise."

    Therewasnoneromisethemoranyother.Dayscamea.Ireadeverytensemoment,everycradcreak,everywhisper,everymlightasherreturhersrespectedmygriefandgavemewideberth,tryingtodrawmebadtheingmedriftaway.Theymissedher,too,butIfeltanyothersorroaltrything,aedtheirshadowyreminisdtheirfailuretorememberproperly.Ihatedthefiveofthemfornotstoppingher,fortakiothislife,forthewildhellofmyimaginatiohinkingthatIsawher.Mistakingeachoftheothersforher,myheartleaptandfellwheurtobemerelythemselves.Orseeingthedarknessofherhairinaravenswing.Onthebankofthecreek,watgthelayoverstone,Icameuponherfamiliarform,feettuckedbehher.Theimageturtobeafawnpausingforarestinawindowofsunshine.Shewaseverywhere,eternally.Andneverhere.

    Herabsenceleavesaholeintheskiystory.Ispeernitytryingtether,andaryingtoremember.Thereisnobalmforsuchdesire.TheothersktotalkaboutherarouIsurprisedthemafteranafternoonoffishing,bumblingintothemiddleofaversationnotintendedformyears.

    "Now,n