The tent was so quiet that the only sound was the heavy snow beating against the canvas.
Bunny was curled up into a tiny ball in a corner of the bedding. The other little ones were still fast asleep. She didn't dare cry out loud and could only bite down hard on her lip. Large, silent tears rolled down her cheeks, soaking dark spots onto the quilt.
Her eyes were red-rimmed, and the moment she saw Evangeline, all her pent-up sorrow burst forth.
"Mama!" She staggered and threw herself into Evangeline's arms, her voice choked with sobs. The messy little silver braids in her hair trembled with her crying. "Mama, is Papa never coming back? Mama, I want Papa..."
She clutched at Evangeline's clothes, her tears soaking through the fabric and searing Evangeline's skin.
Evangeline stroked Bunny's tear-streaked face and gently wiped away the moisture. "It's okay, Bunny," she whispered. "Papa's fine. I promise, Mama will find him, and we'll all go home together, okay?"
