Explorer

Shard was the first one up. He quietly walked outside, barefoot. He felt the dew of the grass on his feet and would have shivered but he could sense how hot the day was going to be and so he enjoyed the coolness. It wasn't long before Shard got the itch to explore and he knew he'd need his boots for where he was going. He ate breakfast quickly and decided to gather some food to take along. He hid it behind one of the big cottonwood trees in the front yard and rushed to get his chores done. Part of it was that he really wanted to explore but he also wanted to avoid his father. As he worked he thought often of Will, wondering what he must be doing at that moment. He thought of the way Will held him and he longed to always be held that way. Shard knew things were far from perfect but he also felt really lucky to have man like Will nearby. He couldn't believe it. How is it that a man like this could have moved there, out in the middle of nowhere? He hated to imagine what life would be without Will around. His life would be grey and dull. Shard realized that Will added spark to life that didn't come normally and he wanted to give something in return, but he didn't know what. He thought that he would look for a sign and so he headed north with his sack lunch and some water. He wondered if he'd see the cougar this time, almost hoping that he would. He just had a feeling that the cat would teach him something.