The Clay Marble

By the time Dara reaches Nong Chan, it is evening, and she feels frightened and lost, with no clear idea of how she will find the stone beam in the maze-like camp. She sees a sickle-shaped moon in the sky, and fantasizes about climbing into it—lying in its curve as in a hammock—to search the land for her mother.

Feeling Jantu’s clay marble in her hand seems to give her strength, and in the morning, after wandering the camp for hours, she remembers that the stone beam was close to one of the food truck signposts: number 3. With some help from strangers, she manages to find the sign, and finally, the remnants of their campsite. She is devastated to find it deserted. Moreover, the toy village she built with Jantu has been trampled and destroyed. Only the stone beam is as it was. Weeping, she lays her cheek against its warm surface, with its delicate carvings, and derives some strength and comfort from its ancient durability.

Dara hears a mocking voice behind her: It is Chnay, the bully who destroyed Jantu’s mobile. He tells her, somewhat gloatingly, that her family was there the previous day but left, after hearing that it was unsafe.