THORNE POINT OF VIEW

I did not wait long.

The moment night returned, I left again.

There was no hesitation this time, no lingering doubt. The weight of what I had seen the previous night still pressed heavily against my chest, and staying still any longer felt like surrender.

The old man did not try to stop me.

He stood in the doorway of his hut as I pulled the worn cloak over my shoulders once more, his sharp, knowing eyes following every movement. The fire behind him cast long shadows ...