Need A Break from Rumination

Chrysanthos rested beneath a pine tree, sheltered by the branched that drooped heavy with snow. His mind was stuck in the past and he was struggling to bring it forward into the present. Why hadn't he said something sooner about the tremors? Why hadn't he said something about the hot springs being abnormally hot? No matter how hard he tried to focus on gathering herbs and tending to his stores he felt guilty that he hadn't done more to warn Olympia about the volcano. He felt foolish. Bolla crawled out of his pack and gently nestled against him.

"It's all water under the bridge now. There's no way for you to go back in time and make a different decision."

Chrys didn't say anything. He was so caught up in his own thoughts that it was hard to give Bolla's words the merit they deserved. Had Ley given him a test? He hoped not. If Ley had then Chrysanthos had quite clearly failed and perhaps that is what haunted him. Having to answer for his failings… he rested his head on his paws. No, that wasn't it. He knew his feelings had to do with himself. Regret for his untaken actions. Yet, Bolla was right. There was nothing that could be done now and stewing over it wouldn't help the situation. Besides, they'd been lucky in some ways for he had made it out alive and that was something. However, the family was scattered. He'd been separated and had yet to find everyone. Bolla was certain they were all alive and well. He just had to keep trying.