Watch for Morning

Charity looked around, making sure nobody was around except her and Malory. She stepped into the woods and broke out running. When she had reached the secret place, Charity bent down and started digging.

“What should I do?” Malory asked.

Charity looked up and whispered, “Watch for morning. If morning comes before we finish here, we’re doomed. Make sure the sun doesn’t rise before I finish this. If it does rise, shout.”

Malory nodded and started up a tree. Charity resumed her doggish digging. She uncovered the artifact just as Malory shouted, “Charity! The sun is rising!”

Charity looked at the artifact now in her hands, a pained expression on her face. She reluctantly placed it back in the ground and covered it once again with soil. She patted the dirt down just as Malory climbed down. As they ran back toward the edge of the woods, Malory panted, “What even was in that thing, Charity?”

Charity glanced back at the woods and whispered, “Our future, Malory. We may not have gotten it this time, but next time…next time we will.”