Cracks appearing. [Pika]

Wind whistled through the gaps in the trees as Caspian maneuvered through them, each tree trunk telling a different story and presenting a different history. Some were healthier than others, and it was easy to tell: the lively ones had thick, dark bark that was easy to scrape off, while the ones close to death were caked in dry, light wood that cracked as you pulled on it. He avoided the beautiful, lively trees, knowing that their death would soon come in the form of a drought or a magnificent forest fire. He cradled the dead wood in his arm, creating a bundle that was sure to produce a beautiful blaze.

He picked the bark off the last tree in his sight, and quickly jogged back to his usual spot. A wide, open plain with dead grass that reached mid-calf. A perfect meal for the fire. He placed each piece of bark on the ground one at a time, building a pyramid. When he was finished, he fingered the matches in his pocket. Small, delicate and easy to hide, they were things he never left the house without. He broke a match off the box, swiped it intricately across, and gazed appreciatively at the flame feeding off the end of the match. He brought it down to the pile and watched it catch fire almost immediately. The wood from the living trees would not have caught so easily. He blew on the flames, which licked hungrily at his face and lips. Soon, he had created a small bonfire. Even though a fire in the middle of summer was not the most practical thing, Caspian was more than capable of keeping it under control.

His mind wandered to Matthias, then; Caspian could see his bright eyes as they took in the light and beauty of the world. He was different than the others. He saw the things that nobody else could see. He discovered the beauty in every person, every thing, and he could find the goodness in the hearts of people that seemed to have none at all. His smile was contagious, and Casian had never seen such a happier and remarkable ten-year-old boy. Anybody was lucky to have him as their younger brother, and nobody deserved him. He was too good for anybody.

Especially Caspian.