Small, grubby hands pack the slightly moist earth back into place. Still, it wasn't quite like before. Were there leaves? Yes, leaves. A handful of leaves tossed casually over it. The wind.

It wasn't as deep as some. Far from big towns. Easy. But usually old. Like this one. The sign, smaller. Not like the big signs in the big city. No name. No times. Just a small, flat rock. But turned up. That's how you knew.

*Rattle rattle* went the small burlap sack as she stood. More bits. Parts! Tools. Toys! Helping hands and nimble fingers. More is better.



A noise! A gasp? No....a squeak. A squirrel! Greeny-Blacky-Scary! It flees! This way, that way, bonk. Into the little sign. She snatches it up. It wiggles! Small, pokey-proddy feeler of the power, loosed into it. Agony, agony. The squirrel stiffens, back arching. Small white teeth, exposed. Rictus! She grins.

Tiny heart against her palm. *Thuppida thuppida THUPPATHUPPATHUPPA.....th-thip......thip...thop* Stopped. Small, warm trickle, tickling down her sleeve. She frowns. So short! Nonono, not long enough in the least. Proper data collection requires more samples. Longer testing phases. Control groups and redundancy. Redundancy!

Her power was growing.



Deeper. Bigger. Fresher. Soon!