Ren's shoulders shook as sobs tore through him. His body folded in on itself, shielding him from memories too painful to bear. Shinji gripped Ren's shoulder, keeping him steady. "Ren, we're here. You're safe."
Hana knelt beside Ren, her expression tight with worry as she took his muddy hand. "Breathe, Ren. We're not leaving."
Ren struggled to calm himself, eyes darting between Shinji and Hana. His voice came in broken bursts, barely audible. "I I needed to see it."
Shinji felt dread tightening his chest. He kept his voice firm. "Tell us everything, Ren. Exactly what did you see?"
Ren nodded, tears leaving clear streaks through the dirt on his face. "They met in the village square before sunrise. Your father, Masato, Kenji, Daichi, the others. Your father gave orders, telling them the monster was too dangerous for direct confrontation."
"Then what happened?" Hana asked, her voice tense.
Ren took a breath, trying to control his shaking. "Masato brought wires, shinobi wires. Strong but thin, almost invisible. Daichi had small bells, alarms to alert them. Kenji sharpened his spear, checking it repeatedly. Your father remained calm, focused."
"They left right after preparations?" Shinji pressed.
Ren nodded. "Immediately. I followed behind. Fog covered everything. No animals, just us, moving through the trees."
"Did they know you were there?" Hana questioned carefully.
"No," Ren answered. "They stopped near the old cedar grove, spotting large footprints in the mud. Masato pointed them out, and your father instructed everyone to spread out, setting their traps."
Ren paused, eyes distant, reliving the tense moments. "Masato hid the wires beneath leaves. Daichi planted torches strategically, believing fire would deter the beast. They spoke in whispers, watching constantly."
Hana leaned forward. "Then what happened, Ren?"
Ren swallowed hard, eyes wide with remembered terror. "The bells rang first, soft, but clear enough for everyone to freeze. Then the creature attacked. It was sudden, a blur of movement, claws and teeth flashing, eyes burning red."
Ren's hands tightened, knuckles white. "They fought carefully, avoiding direct clashes. Your father gave instructions, Masato and Kenji driving it toward the brook using fire. But the beast didn't fear them, it struck repeatedly, retreating and striking again. Masato was hurt badly, his leg bleeding. Kenji had multiple wounds but fought on. Daichi threw torches, blocking escape paths."
Ren exhaled heavily. "Your father was injured, blood soaking his side, yet he kept them together, moving forward. They trapped it near the brook with fire and wires, but it was furious, still dangerous."
"They trapped it?" Shinji asked urgently.
Ren hesitated, his voice weakening. "At the brook, yes, but it was still fighting fiercely."
"What else did you see?" Shinji asked, pressing further.
Ren closed his eyes tight, fighting the flood of painful memories. "It attacked again, Masato shouting a warning just in time. They scattered, regrouping immediately. Masato struggled because of his injuries. Kenji lunged repeatedly, his spear barely holding it back. Daichi lit another torch, shaking hands nearly failing him. The fire paused the beast briefly, but it wasn't enough."
Shinji could almost see the scene clearly. "What about my father?"
Ren's voice filled with admiration. "He stood his ground. Even when the beast lunged straight at him, your father dodged narrowly, directing Masato and Kenji toward the brook."
"Did their plan work?" Hana asked urgently.
Ren gave a small nod. " They formed a half-circle, steadily pushing the beast backward. Masato stumbled, barely keeping his footing, adjusting the wires to slow its movement. Daichi threw more torches, restricting escape routes. Your father kept giving precise commands, holding their line together."
Ren shook with exhaustion, recalling each detail. "The creature grew aggressive, attacking quickly then retreating into the shadows. Kenji nearly fell once, almost stepping into the beast's reach, but Masato pulled him back. Daichi fell behind, slowed by fatigue."
Shinji felt sick, his heart pounding painfully at the thought. Hana tightened her grip on Ren's hand, her own face pale and drawn with fear. "Then what happened?" she urged, her voice barely a whisper.
Ren's breathing quickened, his body trembling as he struggled with his overwhelming emotions. His eyes were wide, filled with the terrible memories he couldn't escape. "Your father started shouting commands, rallying everyone. They tightened their trap, forcing the beast closer to the brook with fire and wires. It roared furiously, trapped but not surrendering. Your father signaled something, a plan, but I couldn't make out what it was."
Shinji leaned forward, urgency clear in his eyes. "Think carefully, Ren. Did you see anything else? Anything at all?"
Ren shook his head vigorously, his tears mingling with the dirt on his cheeks. "I don't know, Shinji! Everything happened so fast, I couldn't follow clearly. Masato was yelling something and the beast, it just kept attacking, snarling. Your father stood in the middle, directing them, but he looked hurt too, blood soaking through his clothes."
Ren's voice rose in desperation, grief spilling out unchecked. "And what did I do? Nothing! I hid, I watched from behind a tree like a coward! I didn't help, I couldn't help. I was so scared, Shinji. I thought I was strong, brave like my father, but I'm not! I'm just a weak, terrified child who ran away and left everyone to fight alone."
His shoulders shook violently, the weight of his guilt crushing him. "Daichi needed help, Masato needed help, your father, they all needed help, and I abandoned them. What kind of friend am I? What kind of son? My father would have fought, he wouldn't have run."
Hana gently placed her hand on Ren's shoulder, her eyes soft with compassion despite her own fear. "Ren, you're not to blame. You were brave enough just to be there, to see what happened and tell us. You're just a child, Ren. None of this should ever have happened to any of us."
Ren shook his head fiercely, his sobs wracking his small frame. "But it did happen, Hana. I was there, and I ran. What if Daichi doesn't get up again? What if Masato or your father doesn't come home? It's my fault, I should have stayed."
Shinji felt his own heart tighten painfully, watching his friend crumble under the weight of unbearable guilt. He reached out firmly, gripping Ren's other shoulder. "Ren, listen to me. What you saw was terrible, frightening. Any of us would have been scared. You can't blame yourself for being afraid."
Ren lifted tear-filled eyes, meeting Shinji's gaze uncertainly. "What can I do now? I abandoned them. How do I face them again?"
Shinji took a deep breath, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him. "You face them with honesty, Ren. You tell them exactly what happened. They'll understand Ren."
Ren's sobs eased slightly, though his breath still came in shuddering gasps. "Do you really think so? Even after I ran?"
"Yes," Shinji said firmly. "We learn from moments like these. Next time, you'll know what it feels like, and you'll be stronger. That's what growing up means, making mistakes, learning from them, and becoming stronger."
Hana squeezed Ren's hand reassuringly, her voice gentle yet firm. "We'll face it together, Ren. None of us have to do this alone."
Ren drew in a ragged breath, his trembling easing slightly as their words sank in. He nodded slowly, exhaustion and grief etched deeply into his young face. "I don't know if I can be strong yet, but I'll try."
Shinji nodded, relief mingling with the heavy sorrow in his chest. "Ren. We'll all try together."
The three of them sat quietly for a long moment, each lost in their own thoughts, the heavy weight of the day's horrors pressing down on them. The silence was broken only by Ren's gradually calming breaths, the soft whisper of the wind through the trees outside.
Eventually, Ren spoke again, his voice still hoarse but steadier than before. "What do we do now? Should we tell someone else what happened?"
They sat together, a silent understanding passing between them. Their childhood had ended abruptly, replaced by harsh realities, but they didn't know it yet. None spoke further, each privately wrestling with their fears and hopes.
Eventually, Hana stood, straightening her shoulders decisively. "We should tell mother what happened. She'll know how to help."
Shinji nodded, feeling heavy as he helped Ren to his feet. Ren moved sluggishly, exhaustion evident in every movement. They walked back toward Shinji's home, each step feeling heavier, uncertain.
Their mother greeted them with anxious eyes, worry etched deep into her face. She listened closely, heartbroken at their account but resolute. "They'll return," she whispered. "Your father won't abandon us."