The forest was quiet , too quiet.
Lin moved like a ghost between the trees. His white cloak was streaked with snow, his eyes blank, distant. The weight of Shen's death still wrapped around him like a chain. He hadn't spoken to anyone in days. He didn't needed to.
The world had made itself very clear:he was alone.
Until
"Hey! Wait!"
A voice broke through the stillness. Lin paused. Slowly, he turned.
A boy with tangled silver hair and a worn scarf hurried toward him, struggling to carry a bundle of firewood. His cheek were flushed pink from the cold, but smiled brightly like the frost couldn't touch him.
"Are you around from here" he asked, a little out of breath. "I was gathering firewood, but I think I am lost. Been walking in circles for an hour.
Lin said nothing.
The boy blinked. "You're quiet."
Still no response.
"I talk a lot. Sorry. My name is Yan."
Lin turned back and started walking again.
Yan hurried after him, stumbling through the snow. "Are you angry? I didn't mean to bother you."
Lin turned around and said "go home"
"I don't have one" Yan said looking sad.
But then he smiled again "I swear I will stay quiet just let me follow you"
Lin sighed but didn't told him to leave. Yan followed anyway.
By the time they reached a small clearing, the sky was already turning dark. Lin dropped the firewood and began arranging the logs,his movements sharp and practiced.
Yan sat across him, watching curiously. "You're good at this."
Lin didn't answer.
"I like it here" Yan said quietly, warming his hands by the growing fire."It's cold, but feels honest. Better than the capital."
"You live there"
"Used to" he said, the smile flickering. " It burned down...with my parents."
Silence
"I've been wandering for years now. Guess I'm hard to kill."
Lin glanced at him. There was no pity in his eyes only a strange understanding.
"You shouldn't follow strangers" Lin muttered.
"I'm sorry. I won't talk just let me stay" zipping his mouth with his fingers. Then after a second he added with a grin, "Much."
Those eyes bright, kind , irritatingly sincere
Why did they remind him of Shen.
Later as the fire crackled low and night draped the forest in black, Yan sat closer to Lin.
"You're different" he said softly. "Not like the others"
"I'm not someone you should be near"
Yan tilted his head. "Why?"
Because people around him died. Because he didn't know if he was a human anymore.
He said none of it.
But Yan smiled like he'd already heard it all.
"Then I'll stay."