At rain-chain corner, four stayed near.
The ribbon framed the courtyard clear.
Austin held the bell-side fold.
Callen watched the shadowed gold.

Aleea asked, “Which route leaves room?”
Zylar traced a quiet bloom.
No leader owned the first reply.
Each round began with someone new.

Pass the bell; leave room for turn.
Start, then pass, and let us learn.

Austin started: tap, then wait.
Callen changed the final word to gate.
Aleea started: point, then slow.
Zylar changed the word to go.

The bell rang early—ting!—by mistake.
No one made the ringer ache.
They smiled at ting, not at the friend.
The early sound marked the branch’s end.

Pass the bell; leave room for measure.
Start, then pass; keep useful treasure.

A fallen branch crossed part of the way.
One tiny sprout grew close that day.
The branch looked like a thing to move,
but its length could test the safer groove.

Callen held the ribbon bell.
Austin marked where branch-end fell.
Aleea counted two bell spaces.
Zylar watched the sprout and places.

A five-minute sprinkle darkened ground.
Barely moving air made no sound.
They turned through quiet-bench grove,
using branch-length marks as they moved.

At chalk courtyard, every starter
passed the bell a little farther.
The route curved wide beside the green.
The sprout stayed still and safely seen.

Pass the bell; leave room for clear.
The last new role begins right here.

Austin rested empty hands.
Callen held the bell-side band.
Aleea set one boundary marker.
Zylar stood beside the open path.

“Clear-Path Keeper,” named the group—
a role no one had at the start.