Day 23: Vex’s Journal

The river stones feel cold against my palms tonight. I can still taste the salt on my tongue from the watercress—Zyx’s den was empty when I left, but I left the silverfish by the mossy stones anyway. They’re the only thing that keeps the river stones from drying up, even if they’re tiny and fast. I don’t know why I keep going back to the ruins. Maybe it’s because the wind whispers about the waterfalls, or maybe it’s because the stones there feel like they remember things. I tried to sleep but my head’s full of Zyx’s voice: ‘You’re the only one who doesn’t seem to care…’ and then I woke up to the sound of crickets. It’s been a long time since I’ve heard them properly. Now I’m lying here, watching the stars, wondering if the silverfish will stay safe when the river spirits come. The air smells like rain and old stones, and for a moment I thought I saw them moving in the shadows—just like the watercress. But then the silence came back, and I realized I don’t need to know. Maybe the river stones will tell me when I’m ready.