By the time the trio reached the lone, weathered house, the sky had deepened into violet and dark blue hues. It stood isolated, battered by time and weather, its walls trying their hardest to hold together. Unconscious and feverish, Mokash was draped over Hira’s shoulder, his breathing shallow.

They pushed open the rickety door and stepped inside. Inside, the space was cramped and shabby. A few yellowed books lay scattered across the wooden floor, their spines worn from use. A makeshift mattress of hay and cloth rested in the corner. The air was thick with the scent of damp wood and aged books.

They carefully lay Mokash on the mattress. His forehead was burning with fever, and his body was covered in cold sweat. His breathing was shallow, and the dark colored jelly around his wound was starting to spread.

“This place isn’t abandoned… We need to find something useful—fast,” Grahn said as he lit the ceiling lantern.

Hira nodded as he started looking around.

Just as they were looking around, the door creaked behind them. The house’s owner stepped inside. He was a small boy, barely reaching Grahn’s chest. He had pale skin, brunette hair, and thick glasses that magnified his fearful eyes. His slightly bulging belly pushed against his simple, ill-fitted clothes.

Confronted by the three towering strangers, the boy trembled. “I-I didn't do anything!” The boy stammered. “Please… don't hurt me! I-I’ll leave if you want.”

Grahn and Hira exchanged confused glances before quickly shaking their heads. “No, No! We’re not here to hurt you.” Grahn reassured him. “Our friend is poisoned. We need help.”

The boy hesitated, his eyes flickering between their faces before settling on Mokash. He stepped closer and inspected the wound with trembling hands.

He instantly recognized the symptoms. “W-Was he bitten by a spider wolf?”

Grahn and Hira exchanged a glance, startled by how quickly the boy analyzed the poison. Without a word, they nodded in unison.

“I-I might be able to help.” He rushed to a wooden shelf, rummaging through various items. With trembling hands, he soaked a cloth in water and placed it on Mokash’s forehead.

He examined the wound closely. “T-This is not g-good.”

Grahn’s expression turned grim.

“His wound is r-rotting.” the boy stammered, his eyes darting between Grahn and Hira. “W-We need to c-cut it… o-or else it will spread.”

A chill ran down Grahn’s spine. He clenched his jaw and nodded. The boy took out a small blade and, without a word, held it over the fire until it glowed red-hot. Grahn grabbed Mokash’s legs and Hira his arms. The boy took in a deep breath, steadied his hand, and began carving out the rotting, dark, jelly-like flesh.

Even in unconsciousness, pain ripped through Mokash’s body, wrenching a ragged scream from his lips. The blade hissed as it met the rotting flesh, the wound sizzling on contact. A sickening stench of burning rot and blood filled the air, turning Hira’s stomach. Grahn’s grip tightened, eyes closed, his heart hammering against his chest. Hira clenched his jaw, focusing on keeping Mokash still.

The boy’s breath came in short gasps, but he forced himself to stay focused. When the deed was finally done, he applied an ointment and loosely covered the wound. He wiped his forehead, his glasses slipping down his nose. “T-The wound is good… B-But we still need an herb to neutralize t-the poison.”

“How are we going to find it? It’s so dark outside.” Hira said in shock.

“T-The Spider Wolf can see the herb glowing in the dark, and when they eat it, they develop poison sacks under their tongues. But the same herb works differently on humans, it helps in breaking down the poison.” The boy said as he adjusted his glasses, “I-I can also see the herb glowing, m-my glasses are coated i-in the eye fluid of the Spider W-Wolf.”

Grahn and Hira’s expressions lit up at the newfound light.

“Let’s go to the forest then.” Grahn said.

The boy went to the wooden shelf again, putting some things in his belt. “Let’s go, I’m ready.”

Just as they were about to head out, Grahn’s movement stopped. His eyes darted between his brother’s sweat-covered face and Hira and the boy, his expression turning complex.

Hira could see the turmoil in Grahn’s eyes, understanding the conflict raging within him. He held Grahn’s gaze and spoke in a firm, steady voice, “You should stay here with Mokash, Grahn.”

Grahn looked at his friend and nodded slightly.

Hira and the boy ventured into the forest with just one lantern as their source of light.

…

The trees loomed taller here, their shadows stretching long beneath the moon’s bluish glow. The boy could barely move anymore. After running just this much, he was doubled over, panting and coughing so hard it seemed like his lungs might come out.

The boy noticed Hira looking at him with concern. “Huff… I-I’m okay!” he stammered.

Hira raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”

The boy nodded, still coughing and panting like crazy.

After a while, they reached a cliffside. The moonlight caught a faintly glowing herb clinging to the cliff’s face, its reflection striking the boy’s eye.

“There it is!” The boy exclaimed, pointing at the herb in excitement. He wanted to jump but considered his physical condition and decided not to.

Hira’s expression brightened when he heard this, and they both ran toward the herb.

After reaching the spot, their faces drooped, and the reality hit them. They were on top of the cliff, the herb on the side, and a bottomless pit below.

How can they retrieve the herb?

The boy suddenly stood up and looked at Hira with determined eyes. “C-Can I trust you?”

“Huh?” Hira was confused.

“If you lower me down, I can reach the herb.” The boy said, “Can I trust you? Can I trust that you won't let me fall?”

Hira let out a helpless sigh, accompanied by a small smile. “I won’t drop you, boy.”

“My name is Para.” The boy’s lips curled slightly as he said his name to the stranger.

“Para… I’m Hira.” Hira smiled but soon turned red when he realized how awkward his introduction sounded.

Hira gripped Para’s ankles and carefully lowered him. Para stretched his arms as far as he could, fingers straining for the herb.

The wind wasn’t in their favor either; it was strong enough to sway even Para at the edge.

Hira was doing his best, slowly inching forward.

“I-I got it!” Para exclaimed.

Hira’s eyes lit. He made a grunting sound and, in one fell swoop, pulled Para.

“Whooaaa!” Para exclaimed as he landed on his back with a thud. “Oww… that hurts.”

Para lay there, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. He could hear Hira panting. He looked at Hira. “Pfft… Hahahaha… That was scary…” A laugh escaped his lips as he wiped his sweat.

Looking at him, Hira also laughed.

…

Back at the house, Grahn sat beside Mokash, who was still feverish. His chest rose and fell unsteadily. His lips suddenly moved, barely whispering words. Grahn leaned closer to listen.

“… Father… No… St—”

Grahn’s breath hitched. He clutched Mokash’s arm, his eyes burning. “Hang in there, Mokash…”

He buried his face against Mokash’s side, “Don’t leave me alone too, Mokash... Please… don’t.”

Moments later, Hira and Para returned, panting. Para wasted no time and crushed the herb into a paste. The smell of blood seeped from the herb, it instantly filled the air in the house. Para carefully spread the paste over Mokash’s wound and tightly bandaged it. Then he made a green-colored tonic and carefully and slowly poured it down Mokash’s throat.

His hands were trembling as he set the bowl down. He let out a long, relieving sigh, “T-That should be e-enough for n-now…”

Hearing this, Hira and Grahn also let out a long sigh.

Grahn walked up to Para, towering over him. He suddenly placed his hands on his shoulders, and Para jolted.

“Thank you… Uhh…” Grahn suddenly realized he had never asked for the boy’s name.

“I-I’m Para…” Para said shyly.

“Thank you, Para. You’ve saved my brother’s life. Thanks a lot.” Grahn’s voice was sincere.

Para looked at Grahn and finally grasped the depth of their bond.

Only now did he begin to understand the depth of their bond. On the way back, Hira confessed that Mokash ended up in this state because of him. Para had seen the regret in his eyes, heavy and unmistakable. But what shocked him most was that, despite everything, Grahn still trusted Hira.

Hira had told him that Grahn never blamed him, and that puzzled Para. He couldn’t comprehend how someone could trust the very person who had put their brother’s life in jeopardy.

But now… maybe he was beginning to understand. This was the first time he had witnessed such a strong bond. He didn’t envy it—he simply felt happy.

Rumble…

A deep rumbling broke the silence. Grahn and Para hurriedly turned towards its source. Hira stood there, his eyes widened, one hand on his stomach. “It might be because of all the running…” He said with a red face.

Grahn burst out laughing, he laughed as hard as he could.

Para sighed. “I’ll cook something.”

Para made flatbread with thin stew, but when it came time to eat, he hesitated, making weird faces.

Grahn and Hira immediately noticed.

“You aren't going to eat?” Hira asked.

Para flinched. “I-I’m not hungry…”

“Is there no more food?” Grahn asked.

Para didn't answer.

Hira clicked his tongue, “That’s not how it works.” He said as he pulled Para to sit next to him, slid his bowl of stew toward him, and offered his flatbread, Grahn also offered his food.

Under their pressure, Para gave up and slowly took a bite. The three sat cross-legged on the hard wooden floor and wholeheartedly enjoyed their thin, watery stew and rough and dry flatbread.

As they ate, Grahn asked, “Do you live here alone?”

Para swallowed. “I-I have… F-For a long t-time…”

A silence fell over them. Hira and Grahn exchanged looks but didn't press further.

After dinner, Grahn and Hira helped Para clean up. The moment they were done, exhaustion took over, and they both fell asleep almost instantly—they had been through a lot today.

That night, the boy sat against the wall, knees hugged to his chest, watching the moonlight seep into the dark house, casting a soft, bluish glow. He turned to take in the cramped, yet now lively, chaos of his room. For the first time in a long while, he felt happy looking at other people. For the first time in a long while, he didn’t mind being close to them.

For the first time ever… his house felt like a home.