The Dark Sire Issue 4 (Summer 2020) | Page 9

side to the other as they dealt with question after question. The other adults around them either had their eyes up towards each other or pointed down into the depths of the canyon. The children wiggled at their parents’ knees, but it was dreadfully obvious to Problem-Solver that no one was really tending to their own brood. Just then, a man stood and cried aloud. “Greetings all! I am Coach Biehl from God’s Creation Church in Las Vegas. I am so honored to be your spiritual guide as we celebrate God’s creation on this National Day of Prayer! At God’s Creation Church we strive to coach you to be what God created you to be. You’re welcome to join us anytime from…” Problem-Solver lost interest in the human’s crowing and focused instead on the crowd. The adults had fallen quiet and were intent on the man speaking at them. Occasionally one would holler an exclamation, baying like an aroused elk. At other times, one would look down to hush a child huddled up to their waist. As she perused the crowd, Problem-Solver’s gaze was drawn to a child at the end. The child was a true youngling, still learning appropriate communication techniques and unsteady on her feet. The adults near the child were not paying attention, clearly having delegated responsibilities to a slightly older child. The older child, to his benefit, would dutifully retrieve the younger one after she wandered too far. With each expedition though, she wandered farther and farther away. Her wandering caused Problem-Solver’s feathers to quiver with anticipation. Suddenly, the human at the front spoke a few final words, and the whole crowd let their heads swing down and their eyes close. Their hands either clasped 7