Sobbing, is what Elka heard. Harsh, gasping hiccups and a stifled whimpering, but from where? She was the only one inside the cabin, having entered to sneak a letter to Nils' mother under his pillow, which she hoped that he'd send, maybe even be curious enough to read himself. Slipping the envelope under the covers, the girl craned her head to the direction of the noise. It was coming from outside, behind the cabin.
Eager to investigate, she turned invisible and crept out. A boy, that much she could determine when she pressed along the side. She stopped just short of the corner, held her breath and peered over. It was the new kid, Maloof, huddled up on the ground in a ball of misery.
Distracted, she lost her focus and flickered back into visibility. Frightened by her sudden appearance, the boy gave a weak wail and cowered back. Elka came out of hiding, face flushed.
"I-I heard you," She fumbled, "And I…are you okay?" Embarrassment marred her usual social grace. He pinned her under his stare. Slowly, he shook his head, shedding fresh tears, revealing his vulnerability to her. Elka couldn't resist his melancholy charm.
"Umm, would you –" Such a sensitive, delicate boy, "– l-like a hug?" She offered, and Maloof nodded. Walking into a crouch, she opened her arms to receive him and he mimicked her, hiccups cracking through when she embraced him.
He clung to her and cried. Soft and warm, the blonde stroked his back, his dark-red hair tickling her cheek. Gradually, he began to relax, his sweet whimpers dwindling. Elka fixated on his curly locks; his hair was different to Nils', not to mention J.T's, who she had never seen without his hat –
J.T.
Maloof nestled into her shoulder.
What he doesn't know won't hurt him.
In an upward stroke, she lifted her hand from his back and smoothed his curly hair. The boy made no move; she continued. Her fingers threaded through, entangled in thick coils and straightened them gently.
"A-ah!"
Elka had unintentionally tugged on a knot of her own creation.
"Sorry, Maloof." Not a trace of regret in her tone – his little protest endeared her. Forgiven but not free of suspicion, his stare pierced through her resolve. She waited patiently for his guard to drop, hand propped on the nape of his neck.
Tenacious, the blonde gave him that much. Lulling back into content, the boy was at ease once more and she resumed her caresses. Fine, filed nails brimmed his stray hairs; to hear him mewl again.
Buzzing insects provided the ambience, carrying her thoughts this way and that. A dragonfly settled nearby, and with it, her scheme, her motive.
"Oh!" She made an act of recoiling in surprise, creating a gap in-between their bodies.
"What is it?" Worry encircled his large eyes and shook his voice.
Her digits curled into a claw. "There's a bug in your hair," Elka held him close again, "Landed right over –" The perfect curl, "– here!" She tugged it and Maloof yelped.
More. There had to be more.
"Ah, I missed it!" It had made its way further back, "There!" She plucked at another lock, and the boy whimpered, clutching her tightly.
Elka tracked the fabled creature diligently, pulling his locks only to repeatedly lose her target until Maloof's mewls turned into tears.
