Once he was on his feet, his mind began to race at a terrifying speed. The dark despair that had threatened to drown him just an hour earlier in the shack was suddenly pierced by a blinding ray of curiosity.
He had spent his life playing at being a warrior. He had fought thugs in alleyways and swung scrap metal at trees. He had convinced himself that bravery and a loud voice were enough to topple a tyrant.
But he didn't know what a tyrant actually was. He had never seen real power.
He broke into a sprint through the dark forest, back to the rotting shack.
Hei burst through the wooden door, the entry startling Bai, who was still sitting in the exact same spot, hunched over in the darkness like a statue of grief.
"We are leaving," Hei said. His voice was urgent and possessed an intense seriousness that Bai had never heard before.
Bai didn't look up. "I told you," he murmured. "I am remaining here. I am becoming moss."
