Dingos Surrounded the Baby, but Something Older Watched From the Ridge

The Second Offering

Miriam emailed that night. Her subject line read, “Follow the language.” She had traced the words Elsie spoke to an extinct ceremonial chant from the Warumungu region. “It was used to greet those returning from long journeys,” she wrote. Clara stared at the screen for a long time. That phrase echoed in her head: not repayment, but balance.

She gathered eucalyptus leaves, one of Elsie’s toys, and a stone etched with shallow lines Tom had once carved on a whim. This time, she placed the pouch beside the circle, not within. She whispered a thank-you and walked away without looking back.

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