Two-Mist

by Lily

I didn't want to swim. I pulled away from Mother, only to have her beside me again.

   "It's okay, Mist. Spark not's scared. You'll be fine," Mother said encouragingly.

   I cautiously put a paw into the water. It was cold, but not as bad as I remembered falling into that puddle.

   Mother left me for a second to get used to the water, and then motioned for me to come to her. I stepped forward, and then stopped and shook my head.

  Mother sighed and came back. "I'll hold your belly while I can still touch the ground and you just flounder around, okay?"

   I nodded. She put a paw under me and I started tilting. I let out a small yelp of fear and thrashed frantically for a second. Then I realized I wasn't drowning and relaxed a little. The water was still freezing, and it dragged my fur down, but I guess I was okay.

   Spark waded in beside me. "See? You're fine!" she told me cheerfully. Her fur was also sagging, but she confidently paddled forward, watching Fawn's movements and copying them awkwardly. Her head went under a few times, but she never lost her enthusiasm.

   I wished I had my sister's courage, but I was just so uncertain about this.

   "Okay, this is as far as I can go holding you," Mother suddenly said. "Do you think you can do it by yourself? I'll be right beside you. Just copy one of your siblings, and you won't drown."

   I felt fear bolt through my chest and shook my head.

   "Come on! I think I figured it out! You just do this with your front paws," Spark showed me. "And then kick like this!" 

   Vine rolled his eyes. "No, you kick like this." He demestrated, but Mist couldn't see the difference between his movement and Spark's.

   Spark looked disappointed, but shrugged and continued.

   "And Mist, can't you just hurry up? I want to get to the Assembly!" Vine added.

   "If you're so impatient, maybe you could help!" Fawn retorted. "And actually, I think I know the perfect way."