Shyamal remembered something.
When this happened...
...The day of the festival when the kindergarten was closed, but she forced Shane to bring her to Azariah.
And the same day...
...Shane died.
Her breath turned ragged as she looked at Shane carrying her sleeping child self back into the shade of a tree.
"Shane?" Azariah looked up, his childlike voice confused as he noticed the tense look on Shane's face.
"...Can you do me a favor?" Shane asked with a small smile as he passed Shyamal to him, "Please take her back inside."
Though confused, Azariah gently placed his hands around her knees and waist to carry her like a princess.
"What happened?" Azariah asked, his confusion growing.
"Just look after her," Shane smiled as he patted his back.
"Noah?" Ashlyn whispered, her eyes closed, her hand stretching to touch the space around her.
"Let's go." Azariah walked toward her, letting her grab onto his sleeve.
