Myth awoke early the next morning, hoping to slip away while I still slumbered. Poor Myth. She had no way of knowing that I expected her to do this. Nor could she have known that I was an early riser. Myth slipped silently out of her bed. And there I was—seated by the fire, bright-eyed and smiling with my knapsack packed already.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” I said to her. “There’s a pot of coffee by the fire, if you want some.”
Myth sighed. Wasting no time to greet me, she packed up her camp. And off we went.
The day proceeded much as the previous one had. I talked. Myth ignored me. There is really no need for me to go on and on about it.
We halted in late afternoon to set up camp. Once again, Myth took pity on me and shared her dinner with me. Once again, we settled down to go to sleep.
“Good night,” I called out to Myth. “See you in the morning.”
Once again, Myth ignored me.
A chill came in during the night. It was the good sort of chill—cool, but not freezing. Do you know what I mean? That sort of chill makes you pull the blanket up to your chin. Your nose feels a bit cold, but that’s okay. It just reminds you of how nice it is to be tucked under a blanket feeling so warm—so cozy. You curl up and doze intermittently. And you wind up staying in bed much later than you would have normally.
That happened to me on the following morning. I felt so cozy that I never wanted to arise. Let the day begin without me, I told myself. I don't want to leave my warm bed. Isn't there a reason why I have to get up, though? But so cozy. Five minutes more. Just five more. Then I will try to remember why I need to get up.
I yawned with pleasure. Whatever it is must not be too important. Especially when compared to how cozy I feel. Ten minutes more, then I will get up. But why should I? Why arise when I feel so cozy?
I yawned with pleasure again and rolled onto my back. Drat that sun! Why does it have to be so bright? But still, so cozy. Let it blaze away. It won't disturb me. Perhaps Myth…
I bolted out of bed and looked about. The fire was naught but embers. Myth’s gear was gone. She had left. My love of being cozy had allowed her to rid herself of my unwanted company at last.
Oh! Foolish Izzy, I berated myself.
I stood there a moment, bemoaning my misfortune. Is it too late for me to catch her up? I wondered. Probably. Besides, Myth is not stupid. She'll alter her route in order to throw me off her trail. Myth is gone. I need to accept that. There is nothing for me to do except to move on and head back to Dusk. I can spend the trip telling myself that I am a silly, silly Izzy.
“Good morning, sleepyhead,” said Myth’s voice from behind me.
I turned towards her voice. And there she was! I stared at Myth, shocked to see her again. Myth was holding our canteens. Rather than fleeing from me, she had gone to replenish our water supply.
“There’s a pot of coffee by the fire, if you want some,” said Myth.
Myth told me much later that she had debated on whether or not to leave me. But she just could not bring herself to desert me. I remember her saying that ditching me would have been like abandoning a puppy. Myth also said that she had realized that she would have missed my endless prating.
I poured myself a cup of coffee, beaming as I did so. I had endeared myself to Myth. She would not ignore me any longer. No. We were travelling companions now and fast becoming friends.
See, Mister, I told you that I know how to get my way.