When the rust...

Sheela was looking at the bloody wave that progressively invaded the surface of the lake. It was spreading in a semi-circle, swarming on the water like an army of tiny creatures assaulting the last clean stretch of water before her shore. It was yet a bit afar, though it seemed it had gained ground since the last time. It moved with a slow impatience that was all too frightening.

The lilies still bloomed on her side of the lake, and through the limpid waters she could see the little green frogs appearing and disappearing with lazy strokes. But nothing moved past the red barrier, even the blue dragonflies held their distance, hovering in graceful ballet some ten yards before the line where both waters met.

Sheela picked up a large pebble and threw it with all her might toward the center of the lake.  The rock sent a column of clear water, concentric waves rippling in a sudden assault against the red froth. The rusty wave receded an instant under the shock and Sheela could almost see the tiny pirate ships pitching in the rolls, the microscopic crews desperately hanging to the ropes while their ships broke against the storm she had unleashed upon them. Wave after wave came crashing against the front lines, repelling them a centimeter at a time. Then the circles dwindled, until they were but slim rays on the surface, as harmless against the bloody tide as reflections from the Moon.

Sheela stayed a long time looking at the water, while darkness slowly descended upon it. The solar star had reached the mountain ridge and was disappearing fast.

"It's time to go home, miss Sheela. It's not safe to stay."

The girl turned towards the voice. How long had he been here? Max could be as silent as a cat or as noisy as a newly-wed string of cans. He was tonight in a furtive mode.

"I made the rust retreat, Max."

She could swear there had been the shadow of a smile on his face. Maybe. It was so difficult to tell. He didn't have a very varied set of expressions.

"The rust doesn't retreat, miss Sheela."

"Yes, I swear. Look, can't you see?"

Max followed her pointed finger, stayed still half a second before turning to her again.

"I am sorry, miss Sheela. It has progressed by twelve millimetres and fourteen microns since yesterday. At current pace, it will have entirely recovered the lake in two months, thirteen days, eight hours..."

Sheela let out a roar and threw a handful of pebbles towards him. The stones bounced off him like drops of rain. He hadn't even tried to dodge.

"You and your silly computations! I told you it moved back!"

Max stayed immobile one instant before bowing his head slightly.

"Forgive me, miss Sheela. I made a mistake. The rust did retreat. We should go back now, it's late."

His expression hadn't changed. She wished sometimes he'd get upset or angry but she didn't know if it was even possible.

"Pfuut! You're not even funny, you know. And you're about as brave as a rabbit."

Max didn't answer. Sheela shrugged and let herself be lead back to the house. Behind them, the surface of the lake was set ablaze by the setting sun and, for a while, it looked like the water burned from a thousand flames.

***

"Beurk! This looks disgusting!"

Sheela winced at the plate Max had just placed in front of her.

"I assure Miss Sheela that this is perfectly edible."

He stood straight as a rod by the table, dressed with an old kitchen apron and a chef cap he had found God knows where. He pretended that these were required implements for this type of functions and wouldn't desist despite the girl's gibes. She tossed with the tip of her spoon a greenish bit that was floating upon the greasy soup.