The poor thing still did not seem to understand. How was she supposed to explain that he was no longer where he once had been? That whatever home he knew was now beyond his reach?

A quiet sense of helplessness settled within her.

Shaking her head slowly, Ive motioned toward him with a gentle tilt of her muzzle, a silent invitation to follow. Rising carefully to her feet, she turned and began weaving through the maze of trees. After only a few paces, she paused and glanced back over her shoulder, blue eyes searching to see whether the boy had chosen to follow.

The very least she could do was lead him to someone who could properly communicate with him.

If he came after her, Ive would continue onward through the forest, every step silent and deliberate as her pale form slipped between the trees.