The world before sunlight felt like it held it's breath.
Lin stood at the edge of the cliff, still as statue, watching the sky shift in shades of grey and rose. The cold wind swept over the mountains, tugging at the edges of his cloak. The silence around him was a language only he seemed to understand.
Behind the trees, Yan stirred from sleep.
He stretched, then noticed Lin wasn't beside him.
"... Again?" he mumbled half annoyed, half worried. With messy hair and a sleepy pout, he wandered off, rubbing his arms from the morning chill.
Following faint footsteps in the dew- covered grass, Yan moved deeper in the trees, humming quietly to himself.
" I should find something to eat first...." he muttered. "Mushrooms? Maybe berries? Hopefully no ghosts like yesterday..."
The deeper he went, the quieter the world became.
Birdsongs stopped.
The air turned cold and sharp.
Suddenly
"Run"
Yan stopped on his tracks, heart pounding.
"....Huh?"
A whisper, right by his ear.
" Go back or I'll kill you"
His breath caught.
He looked around eyes wide. Nothing. Nothing but trees.
The words slithered in, soft and sharp like a blade sliding through silk.
Yan took a step back. His knees locked, trembling.
His voice cracked as he whispered "I don't..... I don't want to die..."
He turned around
And there stood Lin
Silent, unreadable.
The sight of him calm, steady broke something in Yan. Without hesitation he ran forward and hugged Lin tightly.
Lin didn't pull away.
Yan was shaking.
"They were whispering.... telling me to to go back. They...they will kill me. I was scared...." He mumbled.
Lin didn't speak.
Slowly the voices faded.
The forest fell quiet again.
"Thanks" Yan said softly, not lifting his head.
Lin closed his eyes for a brief moment and whispered something even softer:
"This place isn't safe. Don't wander off again. Pack your belongings because we'll leave at sunrise"