Fable sat silently in the tree branch, watching the calm lake. She leaned against the bark, its rough texture keeping her at the moment.

Footsteps alerted her to a presence, but it didn’t seem to matter anymore.

Swiftly and gracefully, a figure hulled itself onto the branch beside her, legs swinging beside hers.

He held a bunch of items in his hand, settling them in his lap as he moved to get comfortable on the branch. ...