E. Egg's Arc

Chapter 3 of 4

E. Egg sat in the new clearing, watching the grass stems shift in the wind. The stranger was still somewhere nearby, quiet in his old hiding spot. Then Jamie appeared, pushing through the tall grass, her face flushed from running. She stopped when she saw him and glanced back toward the voices. She didn't ask questions. She just reached down and took his hand, pulling him up. Her wooden bracelet pressed against his wrist as she led him deeper into the grass, away from the clearing he'd just claimed. The wildflowers grew thicker here, orange and pink and purple blooms tangled between the green stems. Jamie crouched low and pulled him down beside her. Through the flowers, E. Egg could see the crowd gathered at the edge of the field. People held their baskets high, laughing and calling to each other. They were close enough that he could hear individual voices. Jamie kept hold of his hand. She didn't let go even when they were both sitting still. E. Egg looked at their linked hands, then at her face. She was watching the crowd, her expression focused and calm. She'd found him in his new spot without hesitation, just like she always found him in the old one. The hiding spot had changed, but she'd still known exactly where to look. The crowd moved past, their voices fading as they headed toward the far side of the field. Jamie's grip loosened but she didn't pull away. E. Egg realized she wasn't going to ask him why he'd moved or what he needed. She already understood. The hiding worked because she knew where he was, and now she'd proven she could find him anywhere. He didn't have to tell her. She'd shown him instead.