Free
You're free.
It had been the first time he'd spoken those words in such a combination. She'd seen in his eyes that his gift wasn't meant entirely for her. They were both free.
He breathed slowly, testing the very air with the mere fact of his continued existence, his defiance against death and loss. His was the only heartbeat in the entire desert, except for the feeble patter of the eel's life against his shoulder.
free
The second test of the word was written in blood.
fists bones screams crack splatter stone seep red shift breathe splinter choke crush raw stare flesh burn shards shatter
repeat repeat repeat
You're free.
You're free.
You're
Free.
His throat burned. It was the most acute sensation he felt when the screams stopped. He had the sense not to look down at his hands, at his nails.
He stood still, letting it burn, allowing the silence to slowly stifle the words that would not cease their sinister race around his mind.
The third test. He opened his mouth and spoke in an even voice for an audience of the dead.
They did not answer his words.