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The rain slowly stopped. You didn't notice when exactly, as you were too consumed by Lone man's stories. Apparently, this Atlas guy wound up in the forest as well, around 20 years ago. Like Lone man did to you, he also protected Atlas until he couldn't.

"I thought time would heal almost any pain," Lone man said. "But I guess it doesn't work for me. Time is cruel to me."

"Did he turn into a shadow?"

Lone man shook his head. "No, not like that. But he just disappeared. Well, maybe he turned into one or maybe... my brother did something. I tried to confront my brother, but he said he didn't see him, but then again, he's a lying piece of shit."

Stolen story; please report.

"Maybe he's still alive?"

Lone man let out a bitter chuckle. "I can only hope."

You two left the lake. Your heavy clothes clung to your body. Your teeth started chattering. The soil is still wet from the rain, and your shoes sink with every step.

"Let's go back to my house so we can dry up," he said.

Under the moon that has shown itself once again, you couldn't see Lone man's features anymore. You tried to stare at him closely as you two walked, but like before, all you could see was his glowing eyes, a dark shadow, and a soft mist all around him.

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