CHIHIRO
Sen stood there for a long moment trying to decide what she was feeling.
Chihiro would've been wailing and screaming and crying.
But then again Chihiro was a spoiled child who thought she could have everything.
Sen, however, was surprised that she could stand the loss of her best friend.
But then again Sen was getting used to losing things.
Staring at where Michio had disappeared Sen listened to the silence filling the hall.
It didn't last long.
The walls of the house were terribly thin. It made snooping super easy.
Apparently Satako took after her in this respect.
"That's Chihiro's voice, mom!"
The girl hissed beneath her breath from behind one of the sliding doors down the hall.
"Shhh! I don't think you should bother her right now, sweetheart."
Mrs. Tanaka hushed back diplomatically. It was obvious that Minako had overheard everything that happened between her and Michio. For her sake she was trying to control her daughter; but Satako was a force to be reckoned with and she argued forcefully.
"This's the last time I'm gonna see Chihiro for a while, mom! Onsen said so!"
Sen flashed a frown at the ceiling, more than annoyed with the house for meddling. Sounds of scuffling emanated from the room before the door yanked open without so much as being touched. Bright pink with cheer Chouchin darted ahead of Satako, illuminating the girl's way as she clambered out of the room on hands and knees. Dressed in one of Onsen's indigo yukata, thoroughly disheveled from sleep, Satako wasn't wearing her wig. Sen's insides tightened with cold as she stared at the cruel scar that climbed across the little girl's skull. But the black fuzz of her hair was beginning to grow back now that she was done with chemo.
"Satako! Satako!"
More than frazzled, Minako chased after her daughter, catching her and pulling her upright. Wearing one of Onsen's yukata, the brittle woman struggled to keep the front from gaping as she threw her gaze down the hall. Both Satako and her mother froze as they caught sight of her. Even Chouchin came up short, guttering white in surprise.
"Wow!" Satako cried in delight, "You look so cool, Chihiro! Do I get one of those outfits too?"
Suddenly a shadow passed over Minako's face.
Sen saw it clearly.
She knew it for what it was as the woman's arms tightened around her daughter.
Fear: sharp as a knife it cut across Mrs. Tanaka's features.
All at once the fujo's words returned to haunt her leaving her sick with guilt.
She had to clear her throat before she could manage to force herself to be cheerful.
"Saka-chan, will you give me and your mom a moment?
Before she could argue Sen offered something Satako couldn't refuse.
"Kohaku's in the kitchen. I'm sure he wants to see you."
Instantly the girl's face lit up like a summer sparkler.
"Really!?"
She lurched out of her mother's grip and was down the hall beckoning the lantern.
"Come on, Cho-Cho!"
Chouchin darted after the girl dancing and gyrating happily. Sen found she was smirking and as they disappeared around the bend the house gave a sympathetic settling snap. But her smile disappeared as Minako jerked in surprise, shrinking from the rafters and the walls as all the color drained from her face. Undisguised terror pinched the features of the thin woman threw her attention back at her. Gods, she was so skinny! Sen could see her collarbones clearly. It was like worrying was eating the poor thing alive. It vibrated in her very being from the tips of her tiny toes to the top of her messy knotted bun.
"I… I think I understand now what Satako meant when she said you were sleeping."
Sen blinked, finding she was frowning in surprise. She and Mrs. Tanaka had met on several occasions over the past six months; first here at the Onsen; following that many times at the Kodansha offices, and of course at the hospital where Satako was being treated. Sen hadn't realized until now that Minako knew far more about her circumstances than she let on. Clasping her hands tightly, Satako's mother looked her up and down with evasive glances.
"Is t-this who you really are, Ogino-san?"
Sen forced herself not to fidget.
"Yeah, but I'm only just now figuring this out."
Suddenly Minako looked faint as she forced herself to speak.
"When we came here everything changed!"
She breathed the word like a prayer: full of awe and trepidation.
Change: that seemed to be the word of the day.
"I know it's because of you and I want to know why you chose my daughter."
Sen looked back at the bend of the hallway as the truth slipped out of her.
"When I look at Satako I see myself."
That didn't satisfy Minako in the slightest.
"W-what did Michio mean when she said you disappeared?"
Lifting a hand to her chest Sen closed her hand around Kohaku's scale.
"I was supposed to die in that river. I would've drowned, but he saved me. My life came at a price. From that moment onward I belonged to the Gods even though I didn't realize it. I think that's why I've been able to make it this far after everything that's happened."
Again Minako's question came sharp like a jabbing knife blade.
"What does that mean for Satako!?"
Regardless of what was possible and impossible between her and Kohaku, how could she tell this woman to her face she was going to steal her daughter!? But how could she lie and say otherwise!? Sen cringed as she danced around the damning revelation the fujo had forced onto her hands. And so she settled on a half-truth, withholding some in hopes of softening the blow.
"I chose Satako that way Kohaku chose me. Now she can never have a normal life. She's going to grow up to be just like me."
Burning with shame so strong it was a wonder she didn't burst into flames Sen forced herself to look at Minako. Again surprise dumped a bucket of cold shock over her shoulders as she watched the brittle woman marshal through her terror. As Minako stood tall and lifted her chin Sen realized the woman's eyes were turning pale like the rest of the humans they'd collected here.
"I don't care what she becomes as long as she lives and she's happy."
Sen blinked and blinked and blinked some more. Minako reminded her of Usagi in that moment. The rabbit had the same tremulous courage. The two of them would really get along. That gave her an idea in a stunning flash. Perhaps again she could give back some of what she'd unknowingly taken?
"I'd like to offer you a job, Minako-san."
The brittle woman's head jerked up as her pinched features cleared with shock. Hurriedly Sen continued to explain with persuasive cheer.
"I don't care if you don't have any experience. Natsumi will teach you anything you need to know. You don't even have to live here. You could get a place in town. I'm sure Naniko will help you find something."
For some reason the woman bowed her head as her lips drew into a thin grim line.
"If only it was that easy…"
Stymied, before Sen could ask why Minako revealed a difficult truth.
"My husband and I are getting a divorce."
Astonished, Sen found she was gaping. She'd met Dr. Tanaka a couple of times. He seemed like a really nice guy. Minako's face was bright red with humiliation as she continued to explain, smoothing her ragged hair with her thin fingers. But as she did her face hardened.
"My husband is an Oncologist, Ogino-san. He has devoted his entire career to treating children with cancer at the expense of his family. I made my peace with that because as a result he has risen to the top of his field and has been able to help many people. But you can imagine his anguish when our little girl was diagnosed with an aggressive advanced malignant tumor."
She gestured to herself.
"Susumu isn't like me, Ogino-san. He's all science with no room for mystery. He knew from the beginning what Satako's chances were and he was very clear with me about that fact. Susumu doesn't believe in miracles, which is why he kept doing more and more tests on Satako even though she was clearly recovering. He's so afraid she's going to relapse he can't be happy with the fact that she's getting better."
Anger flared in her pale features.
"He keeps bringing her to see more and more specialists. He's gotten second and third and fourth opinions. The tests are hurting Satako! Being in the hospitals all the time is making her sick! I refuse to let him drag her though this again!"
Again she bent and went grim with indignation.
"He's fighting for custody on the basis that I'm an unfit mother. This from the man who's turned his back on us for his work for the past ten years."
Sen continued to stare blankly at Mrs. Tanaka. This was a thoroughly human problem so far outside her sphere of experience she had no idea what to say. And so she offered something Godish in hopes that it would explain just how little all this mattered.
"Satako belongs to the Kami now, Minako-san. Even your husband can't stop that."
A flicker of fear returned to the woman's face.
But with it came a glimmer of hope.
Before she could ask anymore question Sen hurriedly gestured for the hall.
"C'mon. Let's get you some breakfast. Whatever they're cooking smells awesome."
HAKU
"What the hell just happened?!"
Haku was not sure who spoke.
It could have been either Kenka or Megumi.
He was not sure how long he stood there staring at the back door.
Premonition hung over him like a heavy snow laden cloud.
And his hammering heart succeeded in pumping ice through his veins.
Because something had changed; something that was both great and grave.
He had felt its beginnings most keenly the moment they arrived at the Ogino's home.
Now, whatever it was, Haku felt it snap into place within his soul.
It shook him with the distant aftershock of something much larger.
But before he consider it further Chouchin darted into the kitchen.
Whizzing round the rafters one, then two, then three times before she erupted into brilliant pink light as she saw him. Whirling away from the door Haku yelped as the lantern dove at him, knocking him back into the slider. He was forced to drop Karasu's hat in order to catch her in his arms. The lantern towed him off the ground in brightly sparking exuberance. Gritting his teeth as a flash of pain surged through his forearm, Haku held on out of instinct as his feet left the floor. All this Kenka and Megumi watched in open mouthed silence only to shoot their attention back toward the front hall as Satako squealed in glee that matched Chouchin's as she came sprinting through the kitchen curtain.
"Haku! Haku! Haku!"
Scrambling down the stairs on hands and knees she lurched for him only to seize his pants leg. Pulling with all her might she tried to bring him back to earth scolding the lantern. Chouchin flared an angry red, struggling higher obviously not wishing to share.
"Let him down, Cho-Cho! It's my turn to hug him!"
Here Satako grew distracted as she found Karasu's hat. Picking it up, she frowned at the bowler and dusted it off. Haku released the lantern and drifted to the floor on another gust of wind only to catch the hat as the gale snatched it from Satako's fingers. She nearly knocked him from his feet as she threw herself at his middle, hugging him with all the strength her tiny arms could muster.
"Yay! You found Mr. Bozu's hat!"
Haku glanced down at her sharply stunned by the revelation.
"W-what?"
"Onsen said Mr. Bozu left it here for you when he went back to Ueno last night. He wants you to take care of the hat for now but says he wants it back someday."
Haku stared askance at the battered bowler. Seeing it now made it impossible not to see Karasu. He had not thought of the crow for a long while. Now that he held his little brother's hat in his hands easily he recalled the young god; the easy flash of his smile; his strange habit of perching; his obsession with shiny things. Oh, such terrible, terrible grief consumed him as he saw his brother in his mind's eye and knew he would never see him again! Finally Haku forced himself to place the hat on his head. He knew not else what to do with it. The hat fit well, and he hardly noticed the tears until they ran down his cheeks. Flickering a sad solemn blue, Chouchin sank to his shoulder and softly bumped the side of his head. He pressed the lantern to his cheek, bumping her back in silent thanks for her comfort.
"Are you crying? Don't cry, Haku."
As Satako yanked on the front of his armor he sank to one knee. Sorrow held him still even as she threw her arms around his neck looking him over as if trying to find some hurt she could mend. Unfortunately there was no mending this hurt. He would carry the wound in his heart always.
"It is nothing, Satako."
Frowning unhappily, she dabbed at his face with a corner of his sleeve.
"It has to be something otherwise you wouldn't be upset."
Haku flashed a wan smile and stilled her hands.
"Where is Chihiro?"
The human child nodded at the kitchen curtain.
"She 'n' mom are talking. Chihiro said I should come see you."
Haku found himself frowning at the front stairs. He hurriedly searched for a way to distract the child.
"Will you go let the other kami know that Chihiro and I will be leaving soon?"
"But you just got here!"
He gently disengaged himself even as her tiny hands tightened like vices.
"Please, dear Satako? We have not much time."
She drooped unhappily but nodded.
"Kay…"
Lifting his eyes to the lantern, Haku hoped the light understood his veiled plea.
"Stay with her, dear Chouchin?"
The light sputtered white as if surprised before she dipped in rosy acknowledgement. Even though he could feel the weight of Megumi and Kenka's eyes he avoided their pointed stares. He was on his feet and out of the kitchen in a movement so quick he set a wind chasing down the corridor as he came up short in front of Chihiro and Minako. As the wind poured around them Satako's mother gasped in shock. Catching himself on the tips of his toes Haku rocked backwards onto his heels only to bow automatically.
"Apologies, Tanaka-san. I did not mean to frighten you."
White faced and wide eyed, she bowed just automatically only to bow again. Haku blinked then returned her bow not wanting to appear rude. Before she could bow again and he in awkward return Chihiro gently ushered the human female past him to the split curtain.
"Think about my offer, okay?"
Minako hesitated, glancing back at him before nodding. As she disappeared through the curtain into the kitchen Chihiro stood with her back to him. It took him a moment to realize she was avoiding looking at him.
"What has happened, dear one?"
She sighed grimly.
"I gave back some of what I stole."
Ah. So that was it. Slowly his premonition and Michio's flight began to make sense. But before he could offer her comfort she turned, frowning at his head quizzically.
"Nice hat."
Haku balked a moment then reluctantly explained its appearance.
"It belonged to a friend."
"Bozu, right?"
Gritting his teeth he was forced to tell truth even as grief threatened him.
"No. A young crow who called me brother."
Chihiro was back to frowning at the hat.
"Oh… How'd Bozu get it?"
"Bozu was always trying to steal this hat from Karasu."
"Why'd he let him have it?"
Haku choked as finally sorrow overwhelmed him.
"Karasu is dead. May we not speak of him anymore?"
"I-I'm so sorry!"
Stunned and horrified, as she came to him he held her at bay with a single shaking hand. Dropping his gaze he hid his face beneath the brim of the hat as his sight blurred. All the while Haku fought to regain control of himself.
"It is not your fault, dear one," he breathed through thick misery, "The grief is still new to me and I handle his loss poorly. Come, dear one."
Beckoning to Chihiro he retreated down the hall and turned into the great room. At once he appealed to the ceiling knowing she was there.
"Will you open your coffers to us, dear Onsen?
The floor gave a settling snap and seconds later the phantom cabinets opened out of every wall as if they had always been found here. The soft squeals of their hinges echoed throughout the room in a chorus of brass fittings as their heavy inlaid doors opened as if attended by hundreds of invisible hands. Out of each spilled wondrous treasures beyond imagine for the house kept a store of magic that crossed between both worlds. The spicy scent of camphor and the vibrating thrill of age rolled out among the offered goods as heavy gold and silver embroidered kimono, glinting pottery and lacquerware, paintings, and weapons gleamed and winked in the dim morning light filtering through the opaque paper sliders drawn on the garden to keep out the cold.
"Wow…!" Chihiro breathed in amazement at his back.
Glancing back at her he found her clinging to the archway gazing inside with eyes so large he could see the whites all the way round. Gawking and craning her neck she crept into the great room only to turn in a circle so she might take in all of the house's wealth. Whispering beneath her breath she lifted her eyes to the ceiling.
"I always wondered where you kept all your cool stuff."
While the house creaked and popped as if pleased with herself, Haku turned his attention to the armaments. Coming over to a series of floor to ceiling cabinets he browsed the collection pole weapons. Bows and other projectile weapons hung from adjacent hooks. As he continued to inspect the collection he found a rack of swords of all thicknesses and lengths then finally found drawers and chests full of breast plates, pauldrons, quises, gloves, shin guards, and helmet upon helmet of every size, shape, and color he sought equipment that would suit both Chihiro's height and frame. Though they were obviously old the trappings of battle showed no sign of rot or wear. They vibrated with the same strange magic that enchanted mortal object he bore with gratitude.
He found her peering over his shoulder curiously.
"Is this where you got your uh… all that from?"
He nodded absently.
"Onsen has gifted me many things of great use. Arms up."
Chihiro stood to attention as he held out a light vest of lacquered plates in hopes that it might fit her. It was woven of stout black cord complete with waist and shoulder drapes. Though not a set of full plates as he bore, it would provide adequate protection against both blade and bow. Moreover, it was light and would permit agility. Chihiro frowned askance at the armor and laughed uncertainly.
"Um… Is this really necessary?"
As he unlaced the gap at the side of the vest he nodded solemnly.
"You will find Clock Tower Town much changed, dear one. For your hair."
Grimacing unhappily, she accepted the indigo kerchief Haku offered. After tying back it tightly she wiggled into the plates as he kneeled at her feet. Crouching there he tugged the vest into place and laced it lightly, loosening the other seams in several places so that he could fit it to the shape of her body. Holding out her arms and standing like an unhappy scarecrow she glanced at him again and again with increasing uncertainty. Finished with the fitting, he glanced up at her questioningly.
"How does it feel?"
"Weird," she muttered before bending and twisting awkwardly, "But okay I suppose."
He knocked on the solid shaped plate over her breast before lifting to his feet.
"Try not to set fire to this."
She snorted irritably, following as he turned back to the cabinets.
"You make that sound so easy."
Next Haku fitted her with bracers that would keep a bow string from bruising her arm and gloves to lessen the blistered. Darting away only to return with more accoutrements, across her chest he buckled a quiver only to have her protest.
"I can keep my bow in my pocket."
Gently he encouraged otherwise while placing a hand on Hanoane.
"You will want a weapon at hand, dear one, not secreted away."
She blinked rapidly as was her habit then her frown became a scowl. But in producing her bow hand after hand from her pocket she had to maneuver it awkwardly around the leg drapes. Suddenly seeing the merit in his suggestion she slid the unstrung length of supple burnished wood into the case at her back along with the headless ceremonial arrow. His insides scrambled and he gritted his teeth as she produced the handle of bells festooned with ribbons.
"That, perhaps, would be best kept out of sight."
She blinked at it before returning the suzu to hiding.
"Oh… Right. What about this?"
As she held up Sengen's blade Haku threw himself aside hissing between his teeth.
"That as well! Put it away at once!"
She did as he requested only to frown at him in confusion as he yanked the jewel from under his breastplate coming forward and holding it out insistently.
"Take this back! I cannot remove it myself!"
Even as she reached for it, even as she took it in her hands as if making ready to lift it free, Chihiro fell still as her face became a stunned mask of surprise.
"I can't."
Lifting her stunned gaze, her face tightened as if she was hearing something distant.
"I… I think he wants you to have it?"
Haku knew exactly the he Chihiro was. Whirling away Haku tugged on the chain savagely hoping to snap the links so he could hurl the thing aside. He succeeded only in bruising the back of his neck as the chain would not break. Growling in frustration he threw up his hands in a fit of fury.
"I do not want his help!"
Somewhere at his back she uttered a short humorless laugh.
"Look. We can take all the help we can get."
Flashing an irritated moue he returned to her side only to be shoved aside as Okesa forced her way between them. Haku startled as the cat's appearance took him by surprise. Dressed from head to toe in black, she wore the same tabi, voluminous trousers, gloves, and tightly fitted coat she favored during their previous time spent in Clock Tower Town. Though he knew it would be useless to entreat the cat to wear plate or male Haku did not need to beseech Okesa to take up arms. Ignoring them completely the cat browsed the weapons cabinet the way a human might peruse department store windows. But her enthusiasm curtailed as she flattened her ears and lashed her tail.
"Tch! Stinks like blood…"
Here the cat spun on her heel to squat and review the fitting job Haku had done on her breastplate. He watched in silent satisfaction as Okesa could find no error in his work. As the cat darted back to dig in the chest of armor, Chihiro watched Okesa cat wriggle and buckle herself into a black set of red laced plates with expert swiftness.
"How d'you know so much about all this?"
The cat briefly flicked her ruby gaze at Chihiro before pulling on fingerless gloves.
"Aye's lived ah long time 'mong humans 'n' one t'ing aye's learned is they's powerful fond o' fightin' wit' each other, neh? Got's t'speak t'languge o' t'locals if aye wants t'git fed."
Here the cat selected a knife sheathed in a smooth lacquered scabbard carved without adornment. To him it was barely more than a dagger, but in her hands it looked like a short sword. This she secured to her back with the tight sash wound round her tiny, tiny waist. Muffled in the waistband winked her many fans. He counted three red and recalled that Megumi held in her possession a fourth. However, Haku's blood ran cold as he counted the fifth. He stared at the black fan knowing the sixth and final still remained in Shurui's possession.
"Why d'you want a knife if you have fans?"
Again Okesa glanced at Chihiro as if she had asked a stupid question. Then cat turned and jabbed her repeatedly in the breastplate with the haft of a folded fan. Though it was a harmless gesture she moved so fast he did not see her, reminding him just how deadly she could be. As Chihiro recoiled in surprise Okesa grinned sharp yellowed teeth and winked.
"Kinda hard t'poke ah hole wit' ah bit o' wood 'n' paper, neh?"
Pale and unnerved, Chihiro cast her eyes back over the weapons.
"Where'd all this come from anyway?"
Haku startled backwards until he knocked against the wall under the kamidana and the cat shrank behind Chihiro with hiss as Suzume spoke up mildly from beside them.
"Long ago the law alone was not enough to dissuade humans from committing crimes."
As his heart thrilled up into his throat on a spike of anxiety, Haku glanced from the corner of his eyes and found the fox leaning against the great hall archway white as a ghost. But Suzume ignored him. Looking away as if unconcerned he continued to explain distantly.
"A household was expected to possess the means to protect itself."
Glancing back at the store Haku realized all bore the same insignia: trefoil sheaves of rice. The mark of O-Inari-sama was unspoken but strong. With an increasing sense of sorrow Haku was forced to recognize that there was enough armor here to suit at least a dozen humans. If only they had been so prepared when the spiders invaded! It was a bitter useless thought because in spite of this store none of the Nikkou family survived this world. But even as one line ended another began. In their care the house survived. He, the cat, the fox, and Chihiro now stood to take up arms in defense of their family. Haku and the cat watched in silence as Suzume came to stand over Chihiro. As he took stock of her arrow and bow the fox frowned her up and down as if distantly annoyed.
"Where is the knife?" Suzume demanded shortly.
Haku ground his teeth as she produced it from her pocket. He forced himself to hold back a protest at the fox plucked it from her fingers only to secure it at her side with a solid length of blue procured from the cabinets. The blade was terribly dangerous, as much to her as so others. Seeing it tied at her side froze his insides with apprehension. The fox, however, had not finished his inspection.
"And the mask?"
Scrambling a hand at her side Chihiro held something out. Snatching it from her fingers Suzume roughly fitted it over her face only to take a step back looking her up and down discerningly.
"You look God enough," Suzume pronounced finally, "It will do."
And it was true. Stunned, Haku found himself staring at the phoenix's face as it glinted like umber gold in the dim dawn light. The face flashed like fire in the gloom. Dressed in her age old garments and the armor of her adopted family, steeped in magic that vibrated in the very threads of her silver hair, had he not known better Haku would have called her Kami. Then the fox turned his back on her, sweeping from the room like an angry specter. In his wake the Bath House kami flooded the archway with the sea of their worried faces. Over their heads Chouchin drifted a sullen blue. Natsumi shuffled forward from the midst of their family. Bowing low and solemn, she offered Chihiro a small tray. On it was a hand-stitched pouch. Haku recognized the pink fabric immediately. It came from one of Yubaba's bath house uniforms.
"This is the last of the Aburaya bath salts. May they soothe and serve you well on your journey. May they remind you of us. May that memory bring all of you home to us safely."
All of you; the words rang in his years like the toll of a bell.
Haku bent beneath the weight as he fought to carry them.
Pushing up her mask Chihiro stared at the bag for a long moment.
Then with shaking hands she accepted the gift and bowed wordlessly.
Natusmi retreated beneath the silent weight of sorrow, scooting aside as the Gods parted.
Chihiro hesitated a moment then hurried from the room.
Pulling on his tatter cloak and mask he was forced to follow.
Hating every step Haku found it difficult to see the faces of his dear friends as he passed.
Haku feared he might never see them again.
Despair robbed him of his senses, weighing and encumbering every step.
He went as it dreaming; through the curtain; down the stairs onto the green tiles.
Here his sandals waited and he knelt to tie them with wooden hands.
Standing at the base he breathed in the sweet spicy smell of camphor and cedar.
Each breath caught in his throat making him desperate to take another.
Hidden in the humid air he could feel the distant green bite of sea salt.
This was the smell of home and he did not want to leave!
Lifting his eyes she stared at the blank faces of the humans whom he had stolen.
Megumi and Kenka regarded him with in terror as it took a moment for them to see him.
Jae was still missing and Haku felt his absence keenly.
But Satako's absence nearly cost him what little strength he had left.
He could hear her screeching in protest on the back porch amidst her mother's soothing.
Then Chihiro took his hand as he had taken hers all those years ago in another world.
She laced her fingers through his and pulled him forward.
Following in her shadow he shuddered as they crossed in a crackling spray of magic.
Back out into the blinding snow; into the stunningly cold bright.
His heels jarred on the hard cobbles of the road hidden beneath the ice.
And his heart sank as the sun blotted behind the thick bare branches of the hinoki.
The cold remained in his chest as they sprinted into the thickening wood.
Through that forest of beginnings and endings they ran as if chased.
Because here they had met and parted many times before.
Haku hardly noticed Okesa and Suzume as they joined the periphery of his vision.
Already his eyes were looking ahead, seeking that faded wall of forgotten red.
With dizzying astonishment he found it all too soon.
Ever unchanged the tunnel gaped open as if waiting to devour them whole.
And even as he rushed towards doom Haku's steps quickened.
Somewhere in the beyond, he would find Lin and Kubi.
This was the first step he would take in this impossible journey.
The stone guardian swaddled in snow laughed at them in silence as they passed.
His heart lurched up into his mouth as into that mouth of madness they sprinted.
And his hand tightened on her as they darted forward into the swallowing dark.
Side-by-side they crossed from one world to the next.