Finn's Arc

Chapter 1 of 2

Finn swept the same corner of the clearing three times before he admitted it was already clean. He stepped back and studied the path, the fire pit, the steps of the nearest cabin. Everything looked good, but good wasn't enough. If he wanted people to notice, he needed to do more than they expected — more than anyone thought possible in a single day. He walked to the fox's den at the edge of the clearing and ducked inside. His broom leaned against one wall, his bucket sat in the corner, and a scrap of bark on the ground held his plan scratched in charcoal: morning paths, midday common areas, afternoon cabins. He crossed out the old route and drew a new one. If he skipped his usual rest and worked through lunch, he could add the whole north section. His hand cramped from gripping the charcoal, but when he finished, the new route covered twice as much ground. He stood and grabbed his broom. Today, they would see what he could do.