Just as he made his way through the crowded streets, he was pushed and landed on the cobble stone. When he looked up, he saw the faces of boys, little older than him. They didn't like him. “What are you doing here, Wonder?” The one boy teased. He said nothing. Just stood, brushed himself off and took his leave. Wonder could tell the boys were following him, so he walked just a little faster. He didn't want his siblings to save him again. Wonder felt it was his fault, he hadn't been watching the sun close enough. 

Wonder set the last package on its door step and made his way to the bridge. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see one reaching out their arms. He couldn't tell if they were aiming to grab him and push him again, but Wonder didn't pay attention to his footing and fell anyway on the slick moss. Then two figures came before him. Wonder sighed. He hadn't fulfilled his goal. Echo marched up to the boys, startling them with his superior size. He hissed like a snake, Echo did this when he was angry. Willow bent down and got Wonder to his feet. She proceeded to wipe snow slush off his face with her apron. 

“What have we told you, little brother?” She said in her small, gentle voice. “Do not go off into the village by yourself.” She finished and Wonder huffed, cross with his lack of independence. 

“Yes, we have told you this many times.” Echo said to him, grabbing Wonder's shoulder. “These people could hurt you if we aren't there to stop them. Mother is good about not going into the village, why can't you?” It was an honest question. One Wonder didn't know the answer to. The village hated mother because she was from Carnelian, the other kingdom at war with their own. The village hated Wonder more because he was from both kingdoms. His father is Larimar and Wonder was born here, but looks most like his mother. 

Wonder sighed. “I just wanted to help with deliveries today. Today is a special day, the first day of spring and I'm eleven now. I wanted to show you I can do this on my own.” His siblings exchanged glances. 

“We know, little rabbit.” Willow said, stroking his cheek. “But you must understand you can rely on us and we want to look out for you.” Wonder nodded and returned to the woods