Evic tromped their way through the dense brush and trees, unknowing of where to begin of his pseudo-bounty hunt. Pushing their way past the pine and birch, his feet had become familiar with the senseless numb feeling, as if with each step there was nothing to stand upon. With each updraft, the wind laughed, pelting and smacking the weasel’s face, his tousled greasy fur parting every which way.

  I just need to get through this. Evic’s determination boiled; something had to be found, anything. No matter if it was another weasel he could take, an owl, a porcupine, a fox, rabbit, lynx, marten, wolf, something! He deserved better than this! The guys were probably badmouthing him while he was gone! Who does the Warden think he is! Was this all from his blasé attitude? No! He just hates me to feel good about himself! No shoes, no coat, no rations, what a lowlife piece of sh-

  “Ow! Aghh! Stupid rocks!” Evic lifted his foot off of the sharp one he had stepped on. Kicking it out of the way, he stopped in his tracks.

  “At leas’ I can take my time. What’s he gon’na do? Come find me?” He sat on a nearby log, taking a break. The breeze picked up, blowing directly into his face. At least I’m free out here. It’s better than being whipped. Tactile hallucinations came up around the scars across his back, a fake stinging sensation, a fallacy at the moment. It’s the wind’s fault, that’s what brought the flashbacks up. It’s the Warden’s fault, he whipped him. It’s the other guys’ faults, they snitched on him. His blaming went blank for a few moments.

  “I got’ta get some food...”

  With the minimal shelter made, As and Wayne sat by the campfire, eating few of their share they had brought.

  “I’ll begin hunting again once we’re close to losing what we have.”

  “Sounds fine to me.” Wayne’s voice quivered slighty, even while wearing his parka, and even still while being close to the fire. As showed no signs of being cold. The cold air seemed to almost collect itself inside of the cave.

  “Wayne?”

  Wayne looked up from staring into the fire, seeing the light bounce off of As’ black spheres. Just like during the first night.

  “Yeah?”

  As hesitated. “Seeing that we’re in this... predicament... that I caused, and it doesn’t seem it will end for some time—although I hope I’m wrong—I was thinking... I should actually tell you about myself, and Owarr. I know I’ve been... secretive.”

  Wayne scooted slightly towards the blaze, not only to get warmer, but also to listen.

  “I really don’t know how to begin this, so I’ll start with when I was a child. My life in the kingdom was very... safe, until I was eight years old. A large war happened between the Exporine, Cusel, and Owarr kingdoms. I’m sure you read in the manuscript.”

  “Well, I read about one during when, who was it, Nehemias ruled?”

  “Oh, no, this is factual history, not speculative.”

  “That must have been when I dozed off.”

  “Yes, a great war started, and my father went to defend the kingdom. He was chief of the Owarr soldiers, and this was the first time the forces needed to use their full potential. There had been small skirmishes before then, but it turned into an utmost importance. I was... close to both my parents and my father bonded with me when he could, but he constantly had his job to attend to. He was a fantastic leader. Sadly, he... passed away in the efforts. I didn’t get to say goodbye because when he was called into action in the middle of the night I was asleep.” As’ voice shook when recalling the moment, and some tears had begun to well.

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  “My... mother was very supportive, and spent all of her time with me after, but... that would obviously be a... priority after their son lost someone so close. That’s not to say I wasn’t close with my mother, I loved her equally. This plot that went on was... orchestrated. The weasels, they... they infiltrated the kingdom and kidnapped many owls, including my mother. Because the defenses of the kingdom were outside fighting against the Exporine, there wasn’t many to defend the inside. Almost everyone who was able-bodied rushed the weasels in the raid, but they still took hostages. They wanted food and water, but all we kept was for ourselves to thrive on.” The tears started flowing, “Then they said, ‘Fine, then we’ll take some of your people and maybe they’ll talk.’ and I never heard from her again.”

  Wayne sat silent. It lingered for a short instant.

  “I’m sorry for your loss.”

  “Please, don’t be. I’m just... very mad at myself for not doing anything!”

  “If you would have tried doing something, they could have done something to you.” Wayne’s failed attempt at reassurance didn’t deliver.

  “I know.” As wiped his face with a rag they pulled from their equipment. Following a short break, As continued, “After I lost them, I distanced myself from everyone. They attempted helping me, but I didn’t want to be helped. I wanted them back; I felt alone even though I also grew up around all of the rest of the parliament, the owls, I mean. The next few years, I got more and more depressed. I left the kingdom at thirteen to hopefully find myself, but I feel sometimes like I made a mistake. It was only some years ago I decided to get out of my depression somewhat and help others so that maybe they won’t have the same things happen to them.”

  Wayne objected, “As, everyone makes mistakes, and some things we can’t control. I know this doesn’t sound very good, but there’s no use worrying about things when you can’t control them.” Something flashed in him after saying this.

  As regained his composure, “You’re correct.” He glanced at the makeshift bed he had produced earlier with sticks, leaves, and blankets. “Um... I think it’s a good time for sleep. I need to rise early tomorrow.”

  “But it’s not-” Wayne saw the mouth to the cave was almost pitch black. Had it really been that long? “Well, I guess it is dark out.”

  “Yes. Let’s sleep on things.” As seemed eager to drift off to sleep, to forget.

  Wayne removed his parka, and slipped into the rough-framed bed further from the fire. The sticks felt uneven on his body, yet As had placed a sheet over top the binds in order to ease the sharpness.

  Wayne shivered harder. As fixed himself in beside him, facing Wayne’s back and laying his head down. This was much different from the comfort they had been used to.

  Wayne’s back became warmer, with a pressure pushing against it. An arm wrapped around his body, placing itself onto his chest. In an instant, Wayne’s focus on the cold air had stopped.

  “Is that better?” A now softened voice from behind him said.

  “...Very.”