hawk_shot | (Reply)

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Kate couldn't help but wonder, as Matt's words were not lost in her. Matt had been vague when speaking about Stick, but she knew the man was also visually impaired. The man who had raised him to lead an army. Maybe, maybe his methods were not the best. Far from that, she could tell that they had left wounds in Matt.

There was a certain cruelty in demanding that from a child, Kate realized even when she wasn't really aware of all thhe gritty details that made Stick's memory such a painful one for Matt. But maybe, just maybe... Just like Matt was able to see beyond what other people could, maybe Stick had not been completely wrong? Kate kept those thoughts to herself, promising that she would be nothing but supportive as Matt led the way.

"Wait, you're--"

Indeed, he could see even better than she did. Squinting, Kate shielded her eyes from the sun. She knew they were close, because the fence of the donkeys enclusure was right there. But her favorite bunch was nowhere to be seen.

"Guys?! Hey!" She called out, holding her sneakers up and waving as she called out the donkeys.

It wasn't long before she was welcomed by a couple of 'hee-haws' as a pair of donkeys ran across the field to meet them.

"You guys! Where were you?" Some where clearly behind the barn. Others in their enclosure. Some had been nothing but tiny dots in the distance. But they all gathered now to come greet Kate and her friend.

Carelessly droping her sneakers and socks on the ground, Kate tugged on Matt's hand and guided him to the fence as the big fluffy heads of eager donkeys reached out for pets. Kate stroked and scritched them happily, hugging them to her chest as big furry lips ticked her cheek. "Oh, you guys, you're the sweetest. Look, this is Matt."