Her eyes scanned the area, narrowed slightly—not in fear, but in that calculating, assessing way of hers. And then, she saw movement.
A small hut near the edge of the clearing. Not destroyed. Sticking out like a stubborn weed among the wreckage.
And then, from that hut, a tiny, familiar figure stepped out.
Ah. That same small sheep.
The first one who had met her when she arrived. The one who had hesitantly nudged her hand and then later demanded her attention like a spoiled child.
The one she'd ended up playing with over the past few days.
He blinked up at her from across the crumbled road—dirt on his wool, his tiny arms clutching something ragged and soft. The moment he saw her, his eyes lit up like the dawn.
"Mehhh."
The sheep called outt the sound, drawing Kaya's attention. She dropped to one knee, ready to pat him.
Just then, a few more villagers slowly emerged from their hut, eyes blinking against the light, gazes locking onto her.
"Ah, you're back!"
