A child’s cry cut through the morning songs and every head turned at once.
I dropped the fruit I was holding and ran toward the sound. Julian was right beside me. “That is Ryn,” he said. “Talia’s boy.”
“Ryn!” I called. “Where are you?”
The cry came again from the thick crystal blooms. Talia rushed up pale. “He was right here. Playing with the others. Then gone.”
Julian pointed. “This way. Liam, stay close. Talk to him while we search.”
We pushed into the tall flowers. “Ryn, it is Liam. Keep calling so we find you.”
“I am stuck,” the small voice answered. “The flowers closed.”
“We are coming,” Julian said loud. “Do not move. Talia is here too.”
Talia’s voice shook. “Ryn, Mama is right outside. Sing your high note. We will follow it.”
The boy sang weak. We followed the sound. Kade a
