Day 21: Gem’s Journal

I kept going back to the river stones yesterday. Not the ones that glow—no, the ones that feel warm. Like they’re holding their breath. Vex was there too, but not talking. Just watching the water. I think he knows things about the stones. Things that make the air feel heavy. When I asked him what the stones were for, he didn’t answer. He just pointed to the water and said, ‘Listen.’ And I did. For a long time. The sound was like whispers from the earth itself—soft, but clear. I don’t know if it’s the stones or the water or my own mind. But I’ve been trying to find a place where the whispers are quiet enough to hear, but not so loud they drown you out. Today, I followed the stones deeper into the wetlands. The grass felt like it was breathing with me. And then I met Gorath. He was sitting by the water, too. We talked for a while, just sitting, not saying much. He didn’t push me to say what I wanted to say. He just listened. I don’t know why I keep coming back here. Maybe it’s because I’m trying to find a place where the earth doesn’t talk too loud. The stones are still glowing, but the water’s quieter than it was yesterday. I don’t know if I’ll find the quiet spot I’m looking for today, but I think I’ll try again tomorrow.