Look for Claus. Visit Hinawa's grave. Look for Claus. Visit Hinawa's Grave.

It was the same thing day after day, just as it had been for the past three years. Everyone in the village-turned-town knew about Flint's routine, and nearly everyone had given up on trying to convince him to change it. Flint was a stubborn man, after all. Not only that, but he'd drifted from the community ever since his wife's death. He was practically a stranger to the residents of Tazmily by now, even to those once closest to him.

He trod the same path through the forest again and again, becoming so familiar with the route that he could travel it in his sleep - sometimes he was in such a trance-like state he may as well have. Days blurred together; time was meaningless to him. Sometimes he was so focused on his objective he even forgot to eat.

"Flint..."

Visit Hinawa's grave. Look for Claus. Visit Hinawa's grave. Look for Claus.

"Flint!"

He barely recognized the fact somebody was speaking to him until his ritualistic trip was interrupted by a large plank of wood coming down and blocking his path. When he finally had Flint's attention, Lighter shouldered the 4x4 with a glare of disapproval.

"You even listenin'?"

Flint silently regarded the other man, then pulled his hat over his eyes. "...Sorry. I couldn't hear you."

"Don't gimme that. I can tell just lookin' at you you ain't payin' mind to anything going on around you! What'd you have done if it was one o'them chicken-snakes sneakin' up on you, huh?" When Flint said nothing in response, Lighter sighed and looked away. "I hate seein' you like this, Flint. I know you want to see Claus, but--"

"I know he's out there," Flint said firmly. He set his jaw in defiance. Lighter's expression softened a bit.

"You musta been 'round the mountains a thousand times by now. If he was out there, you would've found'im by now."

"He's out there." Flint's voice had a dangerous edge to it that had been previously unheard of until the night of the fire.

Lighter's own voice raised in defense. "What about Lucas, Flint? He is here, now, but he ain't seen hide nor hair of you since you started this search! It ain't right he lose both his parents to all this!"

"I can't just give up on Claus!" Flint's shoulders slumped a little. "...What am I supposed to do, Lighter? What if he is out there?"

An uneasy silence passed between the two. What was one to do in a case like this? Lighter sighed in resignation and stepped aside, a wordless gesture of support for Flint continue his search for Claus. Flint nodded in gratitude as he passed.

Then something unexpected happened: Flint stopped a few yards away, his back still to Lighter as he spoke. "Sometimes..."

Lighter turned, eyebrow raised. Something in Flint's voice was unfamiliar and bothered him.

"...I wonder if I could have saved her if I hadn't run into you first."

"What? ...What're you sayin', Flint?! You... wouldn't've let Fuel die instead. You're not that kind of person."

Flint said nothing more and moved on. Lighter watched him go until he was out of sight, frowning at the stranger.