Filo leads the way across the beach.

There are other ways to reach the forest, but the beach is the safest.

“No one ever passes through here, if they look for us, it won't be easy for them to find us.”

“Do you think they will look for us?”

Sely turns and looks at the wall on which Vanoge's terrace rests.

A smoke and a great fire shine, soon it will be night, and in the darkness the city is invisible.

“Yes, they will look for us but not tonight. They will do it tomorrow when they don't find you.”

“Yeah, in theory, we were supposed to leave with Endya.”

Filo shakes his head.

“Forget that peacock. If he told you that he was the student of...”

“I know I know.”

Sely sulks and starts walking again.

“Anyway there was a lot of excitement in the city, I spent all your money, but…”

“So none of them have seen the flying city?”

“Sely, no one has that tube you use to look at the horizon. What did you say his name was?”

“Telescope.”

The conversation dies there, between the beach that becomes stony and the steep wall to climb.

⁂

Once they reached the top of the wall, the sun had already set.

Sely can't see much but luckily Filo has a flashlight, like those of assassins.

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“In the village, there is a ruin, a sort of underground warehouse. We have no telescopes, but there are strange relics. Like these flashlights. There are so many of them, all closed in plastic boxes which are also packaged.”

Sely searches for his face, but in the dark, she can't make out much.

They lay down on the ground, bundled up in their respective blankets.

“There are no goatmantis here?”

“No, Sely, don't be paranoid. Here at most, you will wake up with the call of a few seagulls.”

“Searoaches are dangerous.”

“I don't even know what they are…”

Sely turns around.

They are insects. But there would be no point in worrying about it, you're right.

This place is not their habitat, moreover…

Sely turns to look at the city.

The sky is covered with clouds, no reflection of the moon in the sea. However, the large fire in the background is continuing.

I would like a bonfire…

“What do you burn during the festival?”

“Well, well, I don't think you'd like to know.”

“Are these things heretical?”

“Hmm, I don't know. I don't know religion well.”

Sely is enchanted by that red pyre, but she can't understand.

It's so strange that he doesn't know anything.

Endya knew the wrong things.

People seem to hate insects.

Hmm... idea!

“Do you want to ask me something about it?”

“About what?”

“Of the silver cult, right?” Sely is excited and turns over in the blanket.

“…”

“You do not say anything?”

“Sely, we need to sleep. Tomorrow is a difficult day; And…”

“Aw… I get it, night Filo.”

“Night Sely.”

…hm… hmm… mmm…

What a pity…

⁂

The rays of dawn illuminate Filo.

Sely looks at that sleepy face, the hair scattered on the ground. His mouth opens and closes a little, following his breathing.

Why are you helping me?

A question she just can't answer.

These days everything has happened too quickly.

I'm not sure what to think, or feel.

Am I doing the right thing? Would mom approve?

I don't know…

But will you, Filo, disappear like Endya?

“Ah!”

“WAH!”

“F-Filo, are you awake!?”

"I'd say! What were you doing? People who stare in their sleep are anxiety-provoking.”

Sely puts a hand to her mouth and giggles.

“What do you find funny about it? You scared me…”

“Sorry, sorry… I was lost in thought. That's all.”

Filo also pulls himself up and folds the blanket to put in his backpack.

Sely watches as he puts his cloak back on and prepares to leave.

“No breakfast?”

The place is raised, there is grass and the sea breeze.

“Better not. Indeed, they shouldn't arrive here. However, we will have breakfast in a clearing further on. You come.”

Sely picks up her backpack and puts her blanket in it. She leaves following Filo and casts one last look behind her.

Even without binoculars, a black dot is on the horizon.

It is there.

Right there.