A/N: Torn is eight, Tess is five and this is long before Jak II.
"Look! Rainbows!"
"Where?" Not that Torn really cared.
"There, see?" Tess pulled him.
They peered down at stagnant water. Oil left iridescent swirls on the surface.
"Watch this." She skimmed confident fingers in the sludge.
"Don't Tess!" Torn grabbed her--honestly upset.
"Why not?"
"You'll get sick."
"How do you know? You're just scared."
"No I'm not...my mom got sick from it."
He tugged again.
"C'mon. Curfew starts soon."
They scrambled to their feet.
"Did your mom get better?"
"No. She died 'cause she got cancer. From the water."
Tess grabbed his hand.
"Sorry."
A long pause.
"'Sokay Tess."