Every time at night when Tika closes her eyes, things catch up to her.
It's always the same: Memories of better times. Youth. Friends. Playing. Training. A task. Then, a fight. Death. The world alight in Flames. Pain...
And she wakes up, sweating, crying, whispering breathlessly "Not my fault..."
Every time.
No matter how often she curls herself up after that, trying to push the memories away, they always catch up to her.
She feels so alone...

This time, it's different.
As Tika jolts awake from the nightmare, and mutters "Not my fault...", and fights back the tears - something stirs nearby.
In the dim light, Wytarrok's head lifts from her mattress.
She looks to the young Charr near her, and sees her distress. Her pain.
Not a single word is said.
Wytarrok just slowly heaves herself up from her mattress, pads over quietly, and lays down next to Tika, huddling up close to her.
The warmth, and the gentle embrace wash over Tika like a light, pushing back the darkness.

She is alone no more.
And never will be again.
Tika closes her eyes, and her world shrinks to a few square feet.
Just her, and Wytarrok, on that mattress.
Like a mother and cub. Love and care, with nothing asked in return.
Maybe... maybe things will be okay.

Sleep comes back to creep up on the young Charr soon again.
This time, it will be restful.
Until the morning sun wakes the two, for another day.

One that Tika no longer needs to fear.

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Absolutely wonderful and heartwarming artwork by the one and only  pauline , featuring my character Tika (the small yellow one), and my friend's character Wytarrok!