She was undoubtedly my little sister, I somehow knew it. So did Mother and Deltul. Without hesitation, they invited the scarred hatchling into the castle. Mother decided that I should walk her to her new chambers, since we were closest before... well, before we found her again.

She kept her head down and mouth shut. I looked over, recalling those crying nights when I wished she wasn't gone. She was right beside me now.

"Mother said dinner will be ready in a little while." I offered. "Feel free to wash or take a nap."

Shina didn't reply.

"If you want, I can come back and we can walk to the dining hall together."

Still nothing. I was beginning to feel taken back. Why was she acting like this? Wasn't she happy to see us again?

We stopped outside her door. "Shina... do you remember me?"

She looked up slowly. "You're Zepth." Shina blinked. "My sister."

"Yes!" I excitedly exclaimed. "I am your sister. Deltul is your brother as well."

"Deltul..." She repeated. "Yes, I remember!"

"That's wonderful!" I beamed, watching her enter her chambers. "I'll see you at dinner." I turned to leave with a big smile, when-

"Zepth?"

I turned back towards Shina, watching me through a crack in the door. "Yes?"

"Zepth, will you come back?"

"Of course." I felt the weight of her words, like they meant something more.

"You disappeared." Shina continued. "I looked, but couldn't find you. It was cold and dark. Where were you?"

My smile faded. She didn't know she died. "I was right here..." I couldn't look her in the eye. "You were lost for a bit, but we are all back now."

Shina looked at me sadly, like a frightened hatchling.

"Don't be scared, Shina." I brought her in a hug. "I won't ever leave you again. I promise."

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I was getting cleaned up when I heard a knock at my chamber door. After drying off, I walked over and unlatched the wood. Kintes stood there.

"What's up?"

"Zepth." He was out of breath and his eyes were wide. "I saw someone outside, someone that could not have possibly been there."

"What?"

"He's been dead, Zepth! I saw him outside!"

"Whoa, calm down." I shook my head. "Who?"

Kintes swallowed hard. "Linceh. My father."