Finch rolled to his side with a groan stretching his shoulders and pushing himself to his knees

Quispi? Silence. The last thing the man had said was a whispered sorry before all but disappearing if not for the nagging pressure at the back of his thoughts You have to talk to me about this at some point. No answer. Quispi this isn’t—

“There you two are” A voice called from behind them, “I come all the way out here to check on how you’re doing and you and your uncle disappear into the woods”

Run it was barely a whisper, but the fear and desperation behind it made Finch’s blood run cold, jumping in a panic to his feet as the person approached

“What’s wrong? Still having body trouble? Your uncle said you two had gotten pretty good at moving around without too much of a problem”

Run

“Why don’t we go find wherever he’s run off to, I’m sure he’s looking for you anyway”

Run! Finch took off through the trees refusing to look back. A nagging thought in the back of his mind told him he knew the voice, but with Quispi’s panic and his own uncertainty, he didn’t want to give whoever it was the time to do whatever it was Quispi feared. They were quickly lost amongst the trees, Finch rushing through the underbrush thistle and bramble scratching and snagging on his clothes as he broke his way through. He wasn’t entirely sure where he was headed, but anywhere was better than being away from that panic.

“We—we have to stop” Finch said, heaving for air as he stumbled into a tree, holding himself up against the trunk as his adrenalin started to wear off, muscles burning and feet throbbing as he dug his claws into the tree

No she’s behind us we have to run Quispi demanded, pushing to take control

Who is she?! Finch snapped, wiping sweat from his face, Why are you so scared of her

Because I am not living in servitude for the rest of my damn life!

Servitude what in the hell are you on about? Finch turned back the way they came, not detecting any movement, Who was it?!

Echo!

Echo. We were running. From Echo. Well I’m never going to live this down Finch said, groaning under his breath, letting himself fall to the ground Why are you scared of her?

Because I…I’m…

“Finch! Good holy hell can you book it” a voice called, Echo finally catching up with the two of them, “I know I’m probably not who you want to see right now but common I get a day off and you still make me work”

“Hi…Miss Echo”

“Again with the miss, I keep telling you it’s just Echo” the imposing woman said, crossing her arms as she walked up to Finch, towering over the short boy, “What’s got you so scared?”

“um…”

Miss Echo?! You know her!? Quispi screamed,

“And why are you so…over preened…? Your uncle was a big vague with the details, are you—“

“We’re fine” Finch muttered, eyes trained on the ground

“Fine? We’re fine?” Quispi spat, clenching his fists, “Was it fine no one found us until it was too late? Was it fine we ended up permanently glued together? Is it fine that you didn’t help me?” He screamed.