Sparks by RS McCoy Page A

had found all but the most elusive creature on the list, but it was clear that Rhada was no Tracker. Her skills seemed related to the animals themselves more than the ability to find them; some kind of empathy, perhaps, similar to Micha.
    Aside from her difficulty with tracking, she hated sleeping outside. Watching Jhurian kill, clean, and cook animals each night right before she had to eat it was even worse. It was her own personal version of hell.
    The night before we moved on to the Calloway, I brought it up to Jhurian. “Rhada’s no Tracker. She should go back to Hubli.”
    “What makes you think you have a say in it?”
    “Nothing, but she’s no better than average. She wasn’t made to be out here like us. You know that.”
    Jhurian considered my words, but his face hid all his thoughts on the subject until he said, “Even so, we’re moving on. She’ll just have to wait it out.” I anticipated that exact response and already formulated a plan.
    “Let me take her back. It can’t be more than a day or two from here. I’ll pick up your trail from camp and find you in the Calloway next week.”
    “You know I can’t let you go back on your own.”
    “I’m the best Tracker here and she needs to go back. Who else could take her?” Jhurian made a face that said the topic had been long since exhausted and walked away. It wasn’t until the next morning that he finally agreed.
    “Micha and Iseut will head to the Calloway with me. Lark and Rhada will go back to Hubli,” Jhurian announced. I could hear Micha’s thoughts turn to confusion and worry, but I nodded to him to let him know it would be alright. Rhada, on the other hand, seemed ready to burst with relief.
    “I’ll catch up to you within the week,” I told Jhurian confidently.
    “No, you’ll stay in Hubli. There’s nothing more for you to learn out here.” Was he serious? Well, he wasn’t exactly wrong. I hadn’t learned anything new about tracking in the last few weeks, and I was already aware of the animals of the Creekmont–save for one. But I didn’t want to go back to Hubli permanently. The freedom of tracking made the constraint of Myxini that much more palpable.
    There was nothing to be done for it. It was my suggestion to take her back, and I knew I didn’t have it in me to make her suffer out there for another two months. Why do I keep offering to help people when it only gets me into trouble?
    The unfairness I felt as I trudged back to Hubli only brought up my resentment towards Avis; and Khea–I imagined pounding my boots into her ribs instead of the crunching snow. She was the last person I’d helped and it cost me a full season of letting Avis rip me to shreds.
    It took three days to hike back, and when we arrived, Rhada was so thankful for the stones beneath her feet she nearly bent down and kissed them. I was more grateful that we’d made it in before the evening chill could settle in earnest. Rhada made her way to the baths, and I continued down the corridor towards my room.
    “Welcome back,” a small, blonde girl said to me as I walked past. She sat on a snow-covered bench, buried in her thick coat that looked to be made for someone twice her size.
    “Thanks,” was all I could muster for a disheartened reply. I didn’t want to be back at Myxini–and I certainly didn’t want to see Khea. She participated in my captivity over last summer. It was unfair of me, but I just didn’t want to see her.
    “Lark, I–”
    “Just go away,” I muttered, and continued on to hall of doors. At least I’ll get to sleep in a nice feather bed again.
    I was ready to throw myself in my room and sleep off my anger for a few days, but opening the door revealed Avis waiting for me. “What are you doing here?” I asked, my words laced with venom.
    “Don’t you think I should be asking you that?” he replied with a smirk.
    “What do you want?”
    “Well since you don’t have to put on the who’s-the-best-tracker show anymore, we