They never reached the ridge.

Muara came back down the path toward him.

“I'm going home.”

“But we wanted to get to Butterfly Valley,” Wind said.

“You wanted to!” Muara snapped. “I told you I'm tired. Why do you keep going on about that stupid valley?”

Wind stopped. His shoulders hurt, and the empty pack kept catching on branches.

“All right,” he said. “We'll go back.”

Muara passed him.

Soon he couldn't see her.

Once, he called for her to wait.

Maybe she didn't hear.

He kept going.