• vi. •

BRUSHING THE TENDRILS OF LOOSE BROWN HAIR framing her face away with the light touch of her index, Clair tugged the hat on her head further down her ears.

Her fingers picked at the strap around her neck, conscious of the weight her camera as it laid against her chest.

"Don't fool around," said her supervisor, "Just because we're out on a class trip doesn't mean you're allowed to get everything your way. This is a photography class—we barely get funding as much as it is. Don't blow it."

After the words he'd said we're out in the air, the rest of her afternoon period scattered into giddy groups. Clair decided to just walk her own trail.

"What are you doing?" said a lightly coloured boy, his own camera dangling from his neck. "Did you get any good ideas?"

Clair introduced herself instead. "I'm Clair."

The boy waved his hand. "I know who you are; Adam, that kid in your art club, told me you're new. I'm Sanjay. Besides, you didn't answer my question."

"There's some interesting trails down there," said Clair, because this was a cookie-cutter society and it wasn't normal to ignore others when they spoke to you. "But I would like to go alone, if you don't mind."

"Uh, okay," said Sanjay, "but if you need anything—"

"Do you want to take pictures of that?" she said, only slightly sharp.

Sanjay followed her finger and his face became pallid at the sight. "No, no, I'm fine."

The broken bird in its own pool of scarlet was noticeable, even from five metres away. What had caught Clair's eyes were the dandelions budding right next to it, as if everything was beautiful and right with the world despite the tragedy in its environment.

To Sanjay, she just said. "You're looking at the thing I want to avoid. Go take pictures of that for your unique picture. Capture the blood trail perfectly."

She'd seen enough broken things to know that some people might see it as art, but all she saw was its fragility.

After Sanjay walked quickly the other way, Clair returned to the flowers, quietly picking one up and placing it behind her ear. She placed the rest near the dead bird.

"I don't know who hurt you so badly or why you lost the fight," she mumbled, "but I hope I don't turn out like you do."

She blows the dandelion seeds to seal her wish.

• o •