Erian was surprised to find that the little basket he had made the day before was beside him. His heart gave a sudden leap. He sat up carefully and took it in his hands.
The woven edges were still firm, though a little softer, as if someone had touched them, and that alone brought a fleeting smile to his face.
His savior had seen the gift.
The smile, however, faded a little when he noticed the basket was no longer empty. Inside lay something he hadn't placed there: a stone. Or at least, that's what he thought it was by its weight.
Erian frowned and reached out to touch it. It was rough, with tiny cracks running across its surface. Not cold, but not hot either. It was warm, with such a faint heat that for a moment he thought he imagined it.
He cupped it in both hands, tracing every curve. It definitely had the shape of a rounded rock, but something didn't fit.
