Kendleweng's Arc

Chapter 1 of 1

Kendleweng counts the acorns by the fence post as dawn breaks. Twelve this morning. Yesterday there were eight. The pile grows each day, left by small hands while the matron sleeps. The children must have seen something last night — seen Kendleweng move between shadows, claws out, keeping the things with too many teeth away from their windows. The matron will never trust a demon at her gate, but the kids already do. That has to mean something. But this morning the pile is different. Thirty-seven acorns, stacked with care into a small pyramid. Kendleweng crouches low, purple skin catching the first light. One child stayed awake. Watched the whole fight at the north wall. Saw Kendleweng take down four shadow-crawlers instead of the usual two or three. Saw the blood on small claws, the way Kendleweng limped back to the lean-to made of branches and old leather. The pile says what words cannot — I saw you. You kept us safe. Kendleweng touches one acorn at the top of the pile. The matron will sweep them away before breakfast like she always does. She will check the locks Kendleweng fixed last week, searching for tampering. She will never see a guardian standing at her fence. But one child saw the truth last night. One child built this tower of acorns in the dark while Kendleweng bled. The work continues, and now someone is watching.