Huldra doesn’t know much. But she knows the comfort of her siblings pressed against her,and a full belly of milk.

But now she could see so many things! And hear things!

She waddled around the den, wailing her frustration when she stumbled and fell. Making sure everyone knew this was not acceptable.

She wanted to see the light!

She made it to the opening of the den and lay happily soaking up the warmth of the sunlight. Her eyes heavy with sleep.

The world had become less dark.

It had been alarming at first, to see the bodies she’d only come to know as shapes and lumps in her way. They smelled of milk and home, but it’d been hard to tell them apart. The one with the milk, she found herself staring at the most. Mesmerized by the tightness of her face, the way her eyes narrowed each time they met her own.

Now, she could at least find her way through the sea of bodies, and was quick to catch sight of a golden one waddling away from the rest of them.

Staring as best as she could, focusing as hard as a girl as young as her could, she watched as Huldra fell with blinking eyes. Down and then up again, with a wail that made Harpy’s face scrunch and her short ears twitch.

She didn’t know why or where Huldra was going, only that she wanted to be a part of it, too.

Waddling after her on unsteady limbs, Harpy followed. You, she squealed, her attempt garbled and high-pitched, unable to form any of what else she wished to say. You! Again, she tried, followed by a shriek that demanded attention from the golden sister who dared sleep already.

The light that Huldra found herself laying in felt so warm. It beckoned her to sleep. And she almost did drift into the comfort of sleep when a loud shriek broke that comforting feeling. She huffed her irritation and opened her eyes to see another small round figure trying to move towards her.

She recognized the figure as one of the many she would climb over, or lay in a pile with. Her sister. And she watched with curious eyes as she too wobbled and stumbled over small legs. Well, if Huldra could make it then she could too!

Huldra stood shakily and yipped in encouragement. She tilted her head as her sister shouted at her. She wasn't sure why but she repeated her, echoing the word she kept saying in hopes it would get her to quiet and focus on walking so she could sleep in the warm light.

You!

She screeched it back, her voice breaking at the end. And said it again-

Youuu!

She yelled again this time sounding almost like a howl.