Never Misses went from sleeping to awake almost immediately. It was impossible not to because in sleeping she felt herself. In waking, she Ached. It was unexpected and fierce and she had no one to blame except herself and First to Strike for its presence.She had felt it before, of course. She had tried once to travel past the Borderlands, where most kin begin to feel and succumb to the Ache. She had been curious and a little dubious that setting hoof in the Swamp meant that the Plains were then beyond her reach. At first she had thought it a trick of her mind, but it had become clear that she had to turn back. Now though--now it was a different matter entirely. They were in the middle of the Plains, days away, at a brisk pace, from the Borderlands. The only reason why they were still alive was probably some residual immunity granted by the MotherFather.
They should have left with the other traveling kin, touched the strange smooth Obelisk instead of laying down to sleep, thinking that, perhaps, they had found their way home. Perhaps it was still an option. Pulling herself onto her hooves, she, proud that she was, took measured steps towards the Obelisk until she could press her nose against its sun-warmed side.
Nothing happened.
thyPOPE
