5. Listener
I went and visited your parents today. They're scared, Clearsight. They want to know what happened. They want to know where you are. I had to tell them that I didn't know. I said that, wherever you are, I'm sure that you're fine. I lied.
You should have heard what they were thinking. Both of them. They haven't slept at all. Your dad paces the same room every night, hating himself. Your mom won't stop worrying. I want to help them, but I don't know how. I don't know what to do.
We're confused. The whole tribe is. Queen Vigilance has declared a state of emergency. We're still looking for a new home, a place safe from him. Everything is messed up. Everyone is frightened.
And you're still missing. Poof. Gone. No more best friend, Listener! I don't even know if you're alive.
Thoughtful and Whiteout left too, you know. At least they told us why. He was the only one left to care about her, apparently, since her whole family died and you disappeared. I tried to warn them. I told them to keep it secret. They ran off a few nights ago. The awful thing is: our tribe wanted them gone. They don't want her around, reminding them of Darkstalker.
I know I should have helped them more. I didn't know how. The Night Kingdom is in shambles, and I have done everything I can. I'm not a hero, Clearsight. None of us are. Yes, my family is safe, but we're also starving. NightWings fight over scraps now. That dragon you said you loved - he ruined us. This is what you left behind.
Maybe you are dead. Maybe Darkstalker killed you. That means I'm staring at the moons and talking to a ghost now.
No. No, I won't start crying about that. I won't give up hope, either.
Remember that night we freed the scavengers? The sea breeze was in our faces and the stars were bright. Remember how fun life was?
We were kids, messing around and saving some little creatures. We were smiling. I want that back. I want things to be normal again. How did it all go so wrong? I miss waking up and feeling happy. I miss the homework, the crushes, the classrooms. I can't believe that's all gone now. I can't believe that everything good disappeared so fast. And you, you went with it. You vanished and left me here.
I'm not mad at you. I'm just...
I'm lost. The world fell apart, and now I'm stuck picking up the pieces. This mess that you made - I'm still in it. I'm still here, and you're not, and I need help, Clearsight. I need a friend.
Where are you, Clearsight? Why did you go?