As the final licks of the village flames faded from the night-covered village, a solemn, crimson guardian sat alone upon the edge of his cliffside abode. The events of that night looped in his mind, wondering to himself if he could've handled that any better, or said anything different. He came up with other scenarios, but neither seemed to be in his favor. No matter what he could've said, it wouldn't have been a positive outcome. Maurice knew that Cornelia wouldn't let him leave without segregating the facts from fibs, and with everything that Zoren spat, it wouldn't have been easy to come up with an original lie she hadn't already heard. The giant ape deeply sighed, feeling the weight of the world seem to double on his shoulders.

Cornelia had guessed, and she was correct. But, the way she looked, she didn't seem so sure of herself. Or maybe…that's what Maurice hoped he saw.

Looking down in his hands, he held a section of Sarah's tattered, purple shirt he had found tangled in the twigs of the nest. The abused fabric felt rough and a bit scratchy between his fingertips, but still held some of its cotton softness beneath the outer shell. Like two sides of the same coin. It smelled like the river, his medicine, and the warmth of her skin. He held the scrap of clothing level to his contemplation filled eyes, and his gaze refused to stray. He leaned in with a solemn sigh, his mind full of thoughts, and his brow ridges knitting together. Torn stitches from the rag caught with the breeze, dancing in the gust like ribbons.

The giant sighed. He missed his child, and the arousal of the matriarch's curiosity only made him worry further. Rubbing his eyes, he felt an irritating ache pulsate in his temples. He knew he wouldn't be getting any sleep tonight, how could he? His emerald orbs followed the flow of the loose stitching, the moonlight catching and making his eyes seem to glow. A tinge of grief stabbed at his chest, and he folded the fabric away in the tight constrict of his fist, a heavy sigh escaping him. What was he going to do now?

"Shh!"

There came a soft patting of flesh on stone followed by a hushed, sharp shush to Maurice's right. In the cover of darkness, the orangutan could see the moonlit gleam of 2 pairs of eyes stare at him curiously, and a soft outline of hands and scalps peeking through the soft shadows. Maurice could tell instantly who they were, and he motioned his head with a gentle sway to encourage them out, a tender purr easing their shyness. Taking a moment before stepping free of his cover, Blue Eyes stared intently into the ground as he strode towards his troubled uncle. His steps felt heavy and solemn, identical to the giant ape's mindset.

"It is late, young ones" Maurice signed. "You should be home, asleep."

The cousins shared a look of distress, and both shook their heads with disappointment. "How can we?" Ash replied.

Maurice cocked his head to the side at the response, a little surprised. Did they know what had happened? How could they? Unless. Maurice scanned his eyes over the royal seated beside him, squinting inquisitively. "Blue Eyes?"

The sky-eyed child looked up, fear glossing over his gaze. "I…I saw you and mother talking" he slowly signed, "I only pretended to sleep when you came in…"

A light grumble sounded in the back of the larger simian's throat, and he sighed out his nose in acceptance. There was nothing he could've said to change that fact. "How much did you see?"

Blue Eyes didn't answer right away, and sat in silent thought for a few short moments. "Enough."

Maurice felt a light tapping on his forearm, and looked down to Ash. "Will Aunt Cornelia try to stop us?" the child asked. Dismay clouded over the orangutan's gaze, and he half-heartedly shrugged his shoulders. "That's what I'm wondering as well. She…she didn't seem so sure of herself when she asked. However…I don't think she's threatened by Sarah."

Ash's head snapped up, and panic filled his rigid body. "You actually told her?!" he frantically signed, feeling the desperate urge to shriek.

"No! No!" Maurice whispered, throwing his palms in front of him in defense and to keep the child's excitement down. "I didn't tell her everything. Not who she was, or where she's hiding. But, she knows she exists."

"Then how do you know Cornelia isn't threatened?" Ash asked, his muscles relaxing once Maurice explained.

"Because she offered Sarah protection in the village."

Blue Eye's face flickered a spark a life, his eyes widening to more than a hopeless sliver. "So you don't think she'd get in our way?" he piped up, joy growing in his youthful stare.

Maurice thought for a moment. It did seem plausible. But, he didn't want to jump the gun and assume too much in the heat of the moment. "I don't think so if she was confident in my trust to lend us her help…but we must remain vigilant, and not overlook the fact she's curious as well. Zoren started out that way, and he's obsessed now. He's almost even…dangerous."

A mix of wonder and troubled filled their youthful stars, a weighted veil of discontent being tossed over their heads. Ash and his brother shared the same look with knit brows and worried frowns. Their uncle was onto something, and his words of wisdom weren't to be taken lightly. They were the key to Sarah's survival, and they were all determined to keep her safe.

"So…what happens now?" Ash piped in, announcing the same question that was tattooed on the trios minds.

The orangutan looked back to the starry sky with a heavy chest, hoping maybe there would've been an answer written in the constellations. A chilly gust of wind blew through the mountain range, much cooler than the nights they've been having lately. It felt crisp, making the hairs in their nostrils tingle and stiffen. Nothing spoke down from the twinkling heavens, something only fluttered across his line of sight. Illuminated by the pale moonlight, a sheen of red gleamed against the navy dark skies. It caught the ape's eye, and he watched as it danced towards them, frail and graceful like a dove's feather. Maurice raised his arms to the UFO, and gently clasped it between his hands as if he had saved a chick fallen from its nest. Bringing it down so the boys could see, he unfurled his fingers to see it was a crimson oak leaf. He held it up to the moonlight, seeing the hue was rich in color, like freshly spilt blood.

Maurice's eyes widened, autumn's eve was already upon them!

A second gust assaulted the forest, and the leaf that he had pinched at the stem was ripped from his hold. The orangutan watched as it disappeared from his possession, mangling itself with a sudden, massive swarm of other deciduous petals. As if the entire canopy of a tree was sheared above them, an entire storm of red, yellow, and amber came raining in with the gust, nearly covering the village's plaza with its onslaught. The rustling of the foliage was loud it completely deafened the nightlife orchestra of crickets and bullfrogs. Though it was a spectacle to see, it only made the orangutan grieve. This was a colossal amount for the first week of fall. The weather was shifting faster than he could maintain his schedule. At least, the schedule he was praying on keeping.

Winter would come early this year at this rate…and he wasn't so sure if he was ready to let go of her yet.

"Uncle?"

Maurice looked down to the gentle tugging of his arm hair. "What happens now?" Ash repeated.

Something needed to change. They had to adapt to the added suspicion. "We only have to be extra cautious" he began. "If Cornelia mentions this to the other sisters of the colony, they could have gossip material to work with. Be wary of your surroundings, young ones."

Ash and Blue Eyes both looked to each other, a tilt in their head. "Look out for who?" Ash asked.

"Apes Cornelia frequently has in her company. Ari, Tinker, her students and fellow medicine chimps" Maurice replied, then turned to the young prince. "You should keep your ears and eyes open in case she does bring tonight up in conversation. This is very important."

Blue Eyes locked his starry gaze with the focused ape, and gave a firm, swift nod. As an additional vow he was up to the task, he pounded a single fist across his chest in the same manner the gorillas did, and a strong grunt. "I won't let us down!"

Maurice smiled. He knew he wouldn't. Bringing the two of them close, he patted the two on their backs with a playful rub of their tiny heads. "I know you won't. Now, get to bed you two. We'll discuss more of this in the morning."


The following three days were full of paranoia and angst. Though they had fulfilled their needed food quota, the orangutan felt like everyone was watching him. Blue Eyes had told him about several incidences that rivaled his uncle's experiences. He too felt eyes on him. When the sun rose that morning, he could see the entire mountain had flourished a more concentrated, fiery red and amber mix. Leaves were dancing upon the wind like colorful, oceanic waves in the sky, rising and falling over and through the colossal canopies and summits. Maurice had to focus on his work at hand, yet the beauty of the changing of seasons captivated his gaze from time to time. The tumbling of colors didn't help the students' attention span either as they would race after the prettiest hues and shapes like a cat chasing mice, pouncing and grasping with their tiny hands.

Maurice picked up a pair of sticks, and clacked them loudly together. "Please, young ones. Eyes up here!" he signed.

Then, a hand shot up. Young Jade was eagerly grasping for his attention. Maurice nodded to her, and pointed to her. "Yes?"

She at first felt a little nervous with eyes now on her, but she didn't retract her question. "Why do the trees change color?" she asked. "You haven't told us about them yet!"

Maurice had to think for a second. "You see, some living things go into a long, deep sleep before the snow comes, like squirrels and bears for example. The trees change color, announcing to the world that winter is coming. It's a warning to us that we must make preparations for the long, cold months to come."

Most of the children nodded, understanding the logic to his words.

Maurice continued. "Once the trees flare their warning colors, their leaves start to fall. That's why they're covering the ground. Once their canopy is barren, that's when we know that snow will soon start to fall. All this color is simply them preparing for a long, winter slumber."

"But, trees aren't alive. They can't move on their own. How can they sleep?" another child piped up.

"Ah, but they are alive, Talon. Like you, they start out as small saplings. But, just because they don't move, doesn't mean they're not alive. Trees breathe and grow too, they just grow slower. They eat and drink, just through their underground roots."

Maurice turned to his rock wall, and lifted a chipped piece of stone. He drew a flat, horizontal line across as the ground, then two vertical lines side by side as a tree's trunk. "Just because you can't see them-"he then sketched long, wavy, intricate networks of lines beneath the ground, stretching far and branching off in all directions. "-doesn't mean they aren't there."

Maurice then took a few short minutes to explain how the root system connected with the water intake, all the while feeling a familiar pair of eyes watch him precariously form above. He took a glance up to witness a crowned head duck back into the great tree, and a little sky-eyed sprite gallop down the ramp. Maurice looked to the sky, seeing that the sun was nearly behind the summit. He rose from his seated position with a heavy groan, feeling the ache of the day in his old feet and knees, feeling them creak like unoiled hinges. "We had a good session today, children. Pack up your things and you're free to go for the evening."

United sighs of relief came from the sea of little apes, and they started to scatter and disband. Maurice quickly cleaned his board before he could even think of letting Zoren near him domain again. Like the incident never even happened, Zoren tried to push his luck again a few days ago. Thankfully, for him, Sarah wasn't in critical condition anymore. Seeing the young prince sprint towards him brought a warm glow to his chest, feeling his energy sped through him like a heartfelt embrace.

"You ready to go yet, uncle?" he signed eagerly.

The orangutan gave a small smile and nod, tidying up the last few trinkets of his things. They had already instructed Ash to gather the rations, and meet them by the gates. Maurice had convinced their parents to allow the two boys to join him on an evening hike, to show them a few more, in-depth details about the changing of seasons. The other students in his class were a year older than the boys, and were already mostly up to speed with how their world annually shifted. However, he came up with the excuse that this would be the only year that the boys would remember, and grasp the concept of seasons now that they were older. And, it would be a great skill for Blue Eyes as future leader to the colony on how to tell the signs of coming frost. He could never start too early for stocking the caves for winter, he just had to know when to before it was too late.

Maurice promised them that he would have them home before the sun went down, and he was keen to keep his word, and himself on their good side. Honestly, he was surprised Cornelia allowed this since their talk a few nights ago. She must've genuinely had faith he wouldn't put them in harm's way.

With Blue Eyes at his side, they melded in with the bustling crowd, avoiding the weasel eyes of a particular medicine chimp, and his young, soot-furred nephew patiently awaiting their arrival. Maurice strapped the bag around his shoulder, feeling its weight weigh him down, and he set off with his little helpers at his sides.

Maurice thought to himself, this would've been the first time she would see the boys out in the open, with no barriers or fear restricting her. Well, that's what he hoped. But, if she could embrace a giant like him without hesitation on a first name basis, then he thought she wouldn't have any trouble making friends with them.

In fact, he thought they'd get along perfectly.


Taking a sip from her little, wooden cup, Sarah at there in the nest, twiddling her thumbs with excitement. She had been counting the days when Papa said he would return, it filled her with enough energy that made her want to jump and dance for joy. She had just about finished what was left in the bag, but she wanted to save some for the two of them so that they could share. Eating with him made her happy, and she loved being in his company. He was so interesting and curious. The way he moved was graceful and poised yet he was several times her size, reminding her of a lumbering elephant, the way they slightly swayed with each towering step. It intrigued her, and only though a little bit, made her want to imitate it.

The thought alone made her smile, and a playful laugh escaped her berry-stained lips. She slid from the edge of the nest, her warm, dirty feet slapping against the cold, hard tile. She crouched down on all fours, trying to remember his stance. Slowly, like making an imprint in a plate of plaster, she pressed her coiled fist against the ground, feeling it shock her in an invigorating kind of way. The way her wrist bent to the new angle, it was like it was meant to arch like that. Sarah bent her knees, almost poking herself in the ribs, and placed her other hand a few inches behind the other. Surprisingly, she felt at ease in the new pose. She attempted to straighten her stance, raising her bottom from the ground. It tugged on her muscles, but not enough to make her ache or burn. Dreads of greasy, unwashed hair draped around her peaky, dirty face, framing her features and falling over her shoulders.

She tried to stand straighter, forcing her human body to perfectly mimic her companion's. But the second she started to push herself, she felt her knees begin to tremble and buckle. Her lungs gasped for a puff of air, and she was forced back onto her hands and knees, lightly panting. However, this didn't completely stop her. Blowing a strand of loose hair from her face, she tried again, but didn't force her legs to straighten. Sarah kept a slight bend to her knees, making her resemble a conspiring gargoyle, and attempted her first quadrupedal step. Stretching her retracted left hand forward, she tried to move with her left foot as well. However, this immediately threw the poor girl off balance, nearly forcing herself to tip like an intoxicated goat. She thought for a moment, and tried moving her left hand again, but this time, moving with her right leg. She felt a better balance with this technique, and tried to take a second step, but with her opposite limbs.

Right hand out, left foot follow. Left hand out, right foot follow.

She did this again and again with only a few wobbly setbacks. Before she knew it, she was trotting around the display room like a gleeful show pony! Her eyes lit up when she realized how fluently she was getting around, and tried to pick up the speed. She got all of a few feet before her organized gait turned into a twisted, pretzel mess! Her clumsy, wild limbs got a little too excited too soon, and she managed to get her ankles and wrists hooked together like puzzle pieces.

There came a faint pop from her wrist joint and a crackle of knuckles, and her rear came up immediately after as if she was kicked. Her spine arched like a wheel, and her body was thrown into a mild series of summersaults and barrel rolls. Sarah cried out surprised, but felt no pain in the audible joints. She was tossed from the office desk at the end of the room almost all the way to the handicap ramp next to the front counter, just missing the nest. She coughed a few times before picking herself up again, shaking the dust and debris from her tattered clothing and scraggly hair. The dust was illuminated through the poking sunbeams, contrasting against the dark walls.

She took a moment to compose herself, and she suddenly felt her head begin to swim. Her hand cupped the side of her skull as she balanced herself upright, closing her eyes to block out the sudden intensity of the gentle rays. Rubbing her temples, Sarah crawled back to her cup of water. The nausea only lasted for a few minutes, but it was enough to make her sick. Her throat sizzled with the inhalation of the dust, and she knew she had to get some fresh air. Coughing the filth from her lungs as she felt her way along the wall to the door, she could see a figure move from across the street. Her eyes partially widened, and she cautiously pulled the door open. A chilly breeze forced its way in, making Sarah's hairs on her body twitch erect, but she didn't close the door. Poking her head out, blinking away the soft flashes of white across her vision, the blurry form took shape, and she instantly recognised the crisp, cinnamon coat.

The young girl's dreary face lit up like holiday lights, and she hobbled into the open air. She hobbled on the rocky driveway with her bare feet, angling her body for balance with the pebbles poking her poor feet in awkward angles. She wanted to meet her friend.

Maurice could see his child emerge from the shelter, and it did his heart good to see her up and moving so strong and healthy. He picked up his pace a bit, wanting her not to wander too far, or possibly fall with the way she was marching. He caught her with an outstretched arm as she nearly tripped onto his chest. She felt like she gained a little weight since he last saw her, and she wasn't limping.

"Good morning. To you. Too" he spoke, a smile spread upon his lips.

Her eyes shone with dazzling euphoria, cleared of their sickly circles, and her skin was flushed with its healthy, peachy color. Maurice stroked her back with his hand, embracing her against his body. "I have. A little. Surprise. For you."

Sarah briefly pulled away, curiosity in her gaze. She looked into the bag that Papa carried, but there wasn't anything new inside except for another blanket. Was that the surprise? As she was going to ask, she suddenly heard a low, almost mute whine coming from behind him. Her ears perked at the sound, and she tried to mimic it to see if the sound would repeat itself. As she inched her head to look behind the orangutan, she could see a tiny little foot hang off his back, hidden behind his lumbering arm. Sarah widened her eyes in awe, and as she inched further, she could see the leg was covered in dark grey hairs. As she looked up, the was a tiny hand balled in Maurice's shoulder fur, and a piercing, sky-blue eye peering from in between the giant's neck and cheek pad. The young girl was surprised to see another gaze staring back, but as she moved to look more, there came a second whine from her guardians other side! She looked again, and saw a similar leg and face. However, this one had much darker fur, and sported deep chocolate pools.

Sarah felt her breath hitch in her throat as the two newcomers slid from their carrier's back, and seemed just as curious and nervous as she was. Sarah felt something when she gazed upon the two, something nostalgic and all too familiar…especially with the one with the bright blue eyes. She peered up to Maurice for guidance, and he merely nodded with an approving smile, gently nudging one of them towards her. The one she felt connected with looked up at her guardian, and waved his hands and fingers in odd, systematic ways, like he was trying to shoo away a swarm of flies.

"She looks scared, Uncle!" Blue Eyes signed. "Will she run away if we go to her?"

Maurice shook his head slowly. "I don't believe so. She had a similar reaction when she first saw me. Here, I'll help."

Reaching out to Sarah, he gently grasped one of her hands, and softly tugged her to come to him. She didn't resist much, but was hesitant. However, she trusted Papa. With his other hand, he brought Blue Eye's hand up, and had the two meet each other in the middle. Sarah noticed the younger being had soft calloused wrinkles on his palm and fingers, and her hand was about the same size as her own. Blue Eyes was amazed at how smooth her skin was, like the skin on his mother's chest. It was warm and welcoming.

His gaze followed up her arm back to her face. She looked a little unsure of what to do next, but she wasn't frightened. Gulping the knot in his throat, Blue Eyes took his other hand, and slowly brought it up to her face. He reached up, stopping for a moment when he felt her flinch, but oh so carefully swept a stray strand of auburn, greasy hair from her face, uncovering one of her eyes. He noticed how large and inquisitive they were, reflecting the aging sunlight like stars in the sky. The young prince felt the edges of his lips twitch, and soon felt them curve upward into a pleasing, grateful smile. He felt the appreciation he had for her and the debt he owed her swirl in his gut, it was calming and relieving. After all this time, he could finally see his saviour face to face without any barriers holding them back.

"Thank you, friend."

Sarah didn't respond. From what she saw, she thought a fly had returned, but she couldn't see it. She tilted her head perplexed, and Blue Eyes repeated his sign. Again, no response. Was she blind again?

"Blue Eyes, she doesn't understand sign" Maurice informed the prince before he would get annoyed, or get the wrong idea that she wasn't respectful or was just plain dumb. "You want me to translate for you?"

Blue Eyes thought for a moment, then nodded.

Maurice turned to the girl. "He wants to. Thank you."

Sarah looked up to her guardian. "Thank me, for what?"

"When you first. Came here. You saved. His life."

Taken aback, she looked back to the ape holding her hand, perplexity filling her gaze. "I…I don't understand." Her eyes drifted to the ground, her mind searching for any recollection, attempting to push through abysmal, amnesiac blockades, and decipher the blurry, monochrome mirage that flashed behind her eyes. Her expression told the hairy trio she found the memory, and they eagerly waited for the spark to light the flame in her gaze. But alas, to mine away the onyx, light blotting coal from the precious memoirs was much easier said than done.

To Sarah, the feat seemed impossible considering all she had been through…and it scared her. "I-I can't remember. Are you sure?"

Ash and Maurice shared a look of disappointment as their prince stared into the girl's eyes, awestruck and pained she had forgotten him. The boy's pupils shriveled, and his brow ridges inched closer together, expression falling. He couldn't believe his ears, he didn't want to. She had to remember something…right? He felt a gentle touch on his shoulder, and he looked back up into the eyes of his uncle. Gathering them close together, he took a seat. It was story time.

Maurice explained when the river flooded and she was stranded on the beach, they were found all together, and only the two of them were soaking wet. It only made sense if Sarah had dived into the water to fish him out. Sarah seemed to forget to blink through the whole story as she sat there dumbstruck, focusing on trying to remember when this happened. It was irritating, like a scratch on the back of your head you couldn't get rid of. It all felt familiar, like she had in a dream. But, the more she yearned to find the answer, the more the back of her head tingled to the point where it burned. She held her head in her hands, feeling her temples gently pulsate under her palms.

Like a white veil being thrown over her face, her mind grew vague and misty. A distortion of grey and black matter came into view, forming into petite, snow stones and tall, midnight trees. There was a distant sound resembling the static of a television, but it was muffled and echoed between her ears. There came a small noise to her left, and a rounded, fuzzy silhouette stepped before her. Their voices were hushed and frail, like they were speaking to a wounded fawn. Which Sarah presumed she was the fawn? She felt the softest of hands grip her right shoulder, and a chill emanated from their dripping wet skin. She raised her head to meet the figures smudgy white eyes, and turned to look behind them to see a second form approach. This one however had much darker, almost black eyes.

But, the closer the two drew near, the clearer she could define their faces. Their muffled voices grew louder and clearer, but no words could be made out. Sarah allowed them to lean into her personal space, and their faces became undoubtedly clear, creeping out from the distorted shadows and into the soft, silver sunlight.

It all came rushing back to her like the flooded river that forced her into their lands, and an explosive weight that rivaled that of a megaton bomb eliminated the thick, heavy tar that coated her mind.

The illusive, obstructing tar that filled her brain since the day she hit her head.

"You were the little boy I saw drowning!"

Blue Eyes looked confused for a moment, seeing how he clearly wasn't a human boy. But, since she wasn't completely there when they first met, he nodded his head, a small smile unknowingly cracked.

Then, she turned to Ash, her eyes widening as the memories filled her hollowed skull. "And…you were his friend who found us!"

Ash's face lit up, and he bounded in place with great joy, small shrieks enacting past his lips. He nodded profusely. "Yes! I am!" he signed. "My name is Ash!"

Sarah didn't understand, and turned to Papa, giggling amused at the young chimp's sudden, playful energy. Maurice nodded, and translated his ecstatic signage. "He's. Introducing himself. As Ash."

She turned back to her new friend, and beamed a bright, cheerful smile. Then, she turned to the lighter coloured chimp. He looked almost nervous about what was going to happen. Was he supposed to be bubbly and hyper like his younger cousin? Was that custom or needed or- ?

"Are you going to tell her your name, dumb dumb?" Ash pant-snickered, poking the tense prince and giving him a light shove on the shoulder.

Blue Eyes pushed him away, shaking his head humorously. "Oh I will, but I won't need a translator!" He turned to Maurice, and held his hand up before he could speak for him. "I can do this, Uncle." Maurice nodded in understanding. The boy was smart, he felt he would do fine.

The young prince turned to the awaiting girl, her hands folded in her lap and leaned in towards him inquisitively, her bright blue orbs large and encaptivating. She leaned a little back, straightening her spine as the ape sat in front of her, expecting him to do similar hand gestures like the other two. However, he surprised her. Instead of bending and rotating his fingers, he merely lifted one, and pointed it to his right eye.

Sarah tilted her head. Perplexed, she said the first thing that came to mind. "Eyeball?"

Ash could be heard behind the two of them, howling with laughter as he doubled over. Clutching his gut as his brother pursed his lips together, he rolled onto his back. His shrieks filled the empty air, his wild feet kicking up a cloud of dust around his squirming body. "Eyeball?!"

Blue Eyes turned, and snapped a sharp bark to him. "Quiet you!"

Maurice tapped the side of the wriggling ape's form with the back of his hand, bringing Ash back to his feet. The orangutan shook his head with a narrow glare. He expected a little more decorum and respect from his coal-coated nephew. "Hush now, he's trying!"

Ash wiped away the moisture from his tear-filled eyes, a few last giggles bubbling in his chest. Snorting a puff of air towards his cousin's rude outburst, he turned back to the girl, and tried again. He tapped the skin under his right eye, and nodded lightly. Somehow, he could see that she didn't quite understand. He looked around with a slight grunt, trying to find something that would help. Then, he looked to the sky. There still was a rich blue hue clinging to the atmosphere, and he claimed his chance before the sun started to take control of the evening colours. He pointed to the sky, making sure Sarah followed his index finger, then, back to his eye. Surely she would get it. Sarah looked at his eyes, then back to the sky. Eyes, then back to the sky. She felt a familiarity, and it hit her. When she looked back to the ape, she saw his eyes held the exact same shade and tone of the heavens. She knew what he was trying to say!

"Blue Eyes?"

The young prince's face brightened, and he jostled his beaming head up and down in a similar manner to Ash, a warmth spreading through his chest and filling his ribs with butterflies. "Yes! Well done!" he signed with a round of applause. Ash galloped to his side, tackling the joyful royal to the ground, sending the two of them logrolling across the stony, dusty lot. Sarah jumped to the side, dodging the unexpected onslaught by the hairs on her head. She burst into laughter as the pair wrestled in the dirt, pinning one another down and chasing each other like a couple of kittens. Maurice strode up beside her, rubbing her tender shoulder with the knuckles of his left hand.

"Can I go play with them, Papa?" she asked, stars filling her youthful gaze.

Maurice smiled. It truly filled his body with content to see she wanted to get involved. He nodded, and watched her bound off. But, to his surprise, she didn't run off like he'd expect. Instead of running on her feet, she was hunched on all fours!

Was she…taking after him?

She was learning from him, this was evidence in itself. By imitating, to Maurice, it seemed like she was imprinting on him! He watched her quadrupedal away, mangling her body into a messy dogpile with the boys. It was a dusty scrabble, and soon enough, she was chasing after Ash. She was quite fast on her hands and feet, but a little off balance. As she came to a sharp turn, she did a strategical manoeuver by logrolling onto her side, and dashing away on her feet, darting at least twice as fast as her pursuer!

Maurice sat with a weighing chest as the thought of her future sank in again. A chilling breeze swept through the area, and a flock of leaves blew across the lot. Maybe taking the boys to see her wasn't such a good idea. Now, he'd have to deal with them getting attached, and twice the amount of grieving needed for their soon goodbyes. But, the more the orangutan watched, she saw what a cunning and fast learner Sarah was. In just the dozen minutes they'd been playing, she'd noted the boy's strengths and weaknesses. Like, how Ash was much stronger than Blue Eyes, yet couldn't take turns as sharp as his swifter brother. He felt himself get lost in his thoughts.

With these qualities, she would make a great hunter. Agile, swift, quick thinker. Or maybe with her inquisitive nature, perhaps she would make a better medicine chimp. He was certain she would get the better hang of it than he would. Maurice chuckled at the thought. Perhaps, with the amount of food he'd given her, she'd be able to recognise the species of berries to pick, and become a forager. All of these traits would be very beneficial to the colony, yet there was only one thing stopping her from becoming one of them:

She was human.

The first snow would be upon them by the end of the month, and Maurice shook his distracting thoughts away. Time was against him. He had to make a choice by the end of the day.

Should she stay, or should she go?


OK, NEXT CHAPTER, I SWEAR THINGS WILL GET MORE INTERESTING! PLOT WILL FINALLY MOVE ALONG, IT'S GOING TO BE LONG, PROGRESSIVE, AND SOLID.

I had an epiphany last week where this story has been going on for three years, and nothing huge has happened since Zoren started getting nosy! I'm sorry for people who are possibly getting bored with this dull repetitive "Maurice goes to see Sarah but oh no he can't be seen or suspected blah blah blah". I'm thinking of combining shorter chapters, and tweaking them to make longer 6K-8K chapters, and get the story moving a little more along in a rewrite in the future. You know, when I have more plot on paper than paper. Haha. A twist in the story will happen where Maurice will be forced to make a move with Sarah, NEXT CHAPTER!

Scholl is stressful and time consuming (Booo), so hopefully this'll sate you all until then!