We couldn't find her anywhere. Not along the stream, not in any of her favorite trees, and not in her tent. Worse, her bedroll was missing, along with the sack she kept her meager possessions in.

"You don't think she ran away, do you?" I asked Fen.

He rubbed the back of his head. "She's never done that before."

"Where would she go?"

"I don't know. She's never done this before!" His voice rose with agitation, obviously bothered by her disappearance.

We proceeded to ask everyone if they'd seen her. Our only clue was Orlo spotting her just before sunrise. He'd gotten up to relieve his full bladder just as she disappeared into the forest.

Fen headed back to his tent.

"Where are you going?" I asked, annoyed that we weren't following Tessia immediately.

"To get my pack. We're going after her, right?"

I grinned. "I could kiss you."

He swooped in and kissed me instead.

I liked this bolder, more confident Fen.

Sember emerged from the woods, picking her teeth with a twig. "What's going on?"

"Tessia's missing," I said. "We think she ran away."

She tossed the twig aside. "Tessia, the mute girl, right? Why would she run away?"

"It's complicated," I said, to avoid mentioning Tessia's gift. "Family drama."

She nodded. "How can I help?"

Right then I appreciated Sember's understanding of privacy. It wasn't something I ever understood as a child, but it made sense to me now.

"Do you know where Remi went?" I asked her. "We could really use him on this. All we know is what direction she headed from here."

"You guys talking about me again?"

Like magic, Remi appeared not far away, a huge bird dangling from its feet in one hand.

"You found a turkey!" I exclaimed. "We'll have a good dinner tonight."

I proceeded to fill him in on our predicament. Before long, we found ourselves along a small animal trail that Remi said had recent footprints.

We followed Remi as he tracked. The sun climbed past its zenith. I began wondering if there was even a trail for him to follow.

"There." He stopped and pointed to a tree with large, exposed roots.

I peered around him. There, nestled among the twining roots, was Tessia, sound asleep on a blanket. She hugged her sack of belongings in her sleep. The poor girl must have been exhausted.

She didn't awaken when we approached, and we awkwardly stood around a moment, unsure who or how to wake her without scaring her.

"I'll do it," Fen volunteered. "She never was a light sleeper."

He crouched beside her. Placing one hand on her arm, he patted her hand with the other.

Her eyes fluttered open. When they finally focused on the friendly face beside her, she smiled and threw her arms around his neck.

He hugged her back. "I know," he whispered after a while.

After helping her to her feet, Fen said, "Remi here found you."

She turned hesitant gray eyes to him and offered a shy smile.

Remi smiled back. "I'm glad you're safe."

Can we tell them about your gift now? I asked Tessia. That way you can thank him in person.

No! I don't want them acting weird around me.

Okay. I'm relieved we found you, though. I was worried. I was about to ask why she ran away when Remi unwittingly interrupted.

"Back to Camp, then?" he suggested.

I exchanged glances with Fen. It would be so easy to just head back to Foresthome right now. Skip the mess that Niralessa represented. I knew Tessia didn't want to go back.

Tessia shook her head and began heading back the way we came. Going to Foresthome is pointless. Niralessa can find me there.

Remi and Sember shrugged at each other and followed. Fen and I trailed behind them.

"What did she tell you?" I whispered to him as I stepped over a branch.

"She was glad we found her, and sorry that she made us worry."

"But why did she leave in the first place?"

He shrugged. "She didn't say."

At a fork in the tiny trail, Tessia seemed unsure which way to go. She paused and looked helplessly behind her.

Remi, ever the gallant soul, stepped forward. "I'll take it from here." He gave her shoulder a quick squeeze as he passed.

Tessia actually grinned.

My two Foresthome friends began chatting with each other as they led the way, allowing me time to talk to Tessia.

I fixed her with a pointed look instead of asking my question.

Her eyes darted to me before skittering away. She looked embarrassed. I didn't mean to trouble anyone.

It's not the trouble, Tessia. You could have gotten hurt. Why did you leave?

She rubbed her nose. If it wasn't for me, Fenrook wouldn't be stuck wherever I'm stuck. You and Fenrook wouldn't have argued. I thought if I left, it wouldn't be an issue anymore. Niralessa couldn't use me, and you two wouldn't have to figure out where to live. You could go wherever you wanted.

I couldn't believe how thoughtful this girl was. At her age, I was too busy figuring out which dress looked best on me. And here she was, willing to brave the unknown in order to help the ones she cared about.

Where were you going? I asked.

She shrugged. I thought maybe I could find Kibi at her tribe. Chief Meresh seemed very nice.

He is very nice, I agree, but don't ever do that again. We care about you. We can find answers together, all right?

She nodded, but I could still feel the trepidation churning through her as we walked. Considering Niralessa's intentions, Tessia didn't have a lot to look forward to.

It made me wonder what my own future would end up being.

So much uncertainty. Thank goodness voting isn't complicated. :D