Breeze whined as he slowly backed away from the camp.  He had to tell someone, but who would he tell?  There was no one around.  There was nothing he could do.  He quickly ran away as fast as he could, ignoring the feeling that his bones were about to tear out of him.

He ran and ran until he couldn't run anymore. He slowed down slightly, panting. His ears and tail drooped from exhaustion. He wanted to stop, but he knew he shouldn't.

He wished things were different. Why was he such a coward? If he was just a little bit braver, he could go and stand up to Fosc and end this once and for all so no one else would have to suffer. But no. He was just a wimp that runs and hides. He didn't even know how to fend for himself.

He wondered if anyone else even knew he existed, other than his new friend, Doug, and the people in the gang. Was he a legend? A myth? A fairy-tale? Or was he just completely unknown?

Why was he thinking this? Of course he's unknown. He never lets anyone see him. He was too afraid to. Who knows what would happen if he did? He might get a more gruesome death than his parents got.

He shook his head to get the thoughts out. He looked around for a nearby shelter. The moment he found one, he dove in to rest. Without thinking, he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, the small(er) group of siblings were reunited again, but not in the forest this time. They were staying closer to the siren village this time since there was water there. They assumed it'd be safer than the forest when it comes to lightning strikes.

Fuego was pacing back and forth and mumbling words in Spanish under his breath. He seemed troubled. The others watched him in silence before Lily spoke up.

"Fuego? Are you okay?"

Fuego refused to look at her. "Estoy preocupado por Orchid. I'm worried about Orchid. It's been a while since she went desaparecido — missing."

"True..."

"I'm sure she's fine." Tadpole comforted. "Maybe she just got sick? Like you did."

Fuego flinched at the memories. "Pensé que acordamos nunca volver a hablar de eso."

"...what?"

"I thought we agreed to never speak of that again."

"Oh...sorry..."  His ears drooped guiltily.

Fuego just sighed.  "I just think she'd be better by now."

"I'm sure she's fine." Rex said.  "She's tough."

"Meh, not nearly as though as us." Valerie muttered, earning a punch from her brother.  "Ow!"

"Be nice!"

"Whatever."

Fuego rolled his eyes.  "I have half my mind to go look for her myself."

"No way!" Tadpole protested.

"Not on your own!" Lily agreed.

"Yeah, it's dangerous out there!  You should take me with you." Valerie said proudly, earning another punch.  "Ow!  Rex, quit!"

Rex just rolled his eyes.  "Just do what you think is right, 'kay Fueg?"

"... No me llames así.  Don't call me that."

"Heh...sorry."

Fuego rolled his eyes again.  "I'm going home.  Nos vemos más tarde.  See you later." he muttered, walking away.

The others watched him go.

"...things will be okay...right?" Tadpole asked.

"I'm sure things'll be fine.  I bet our big sibs have it under control." Valerie said reassuringly.

"..I hope so.  Because things are really going downhill..." Lily said quietly, looking away.