The young boy
sensed a subtle Nudge,
L u r i n g
him
p a s t the
t h r e s h o l d
of
f a m i l i a r i t y .
His gaze
s w e p t
o v e r
the bamboo chimes
s w a y i n g
gently
from the canopy.
He reached up,
fingers finding
the third pipe from the left.
He revealed
its hidden contents.
Nestled inside
lay the key
to the front door.
The first step
on an
u n c h a r t e d
path.
As he moved towards the door,
a twig snapped nearby.
A voice emerged
from nowhere.
H o w d e l i g h t f u l l y
p r e d i c t a b l e.
You must be Liam,
Luna's little protégé?
Honeyed contempt
dripped from each word.
Liam stumbled,
off-balance.
He turned...
facing the broken fence.
An aged man
in frayed garments
watched him...
unnervingly.
Wrinkles carved tales
across his face.
Their eyes connected.
Liam felt oddly exposed.
I don't recall meeting you.
How do you know my name?
Liam held himself taut,
his eyes narrowing.
The old man's gaze
remained steady.
P e r h a p s
the more important question is
W h a t b r i n g s y o u
to this place,
all by yourself?
Liam's chest
drummed steadily
as his mind tumbled.
He faltered briefly
before steadying
with quiet determination.
I think that's for me to know,
and I'm not leaving
until I've finished
what I came to do.
The old man chuckled.
Ah...
the recklessness of youth.
You think you have a purpose,
a goal.
How naive.
But tell me,
young boy...
what do you truly know
about this place?
Or should I say,
about yourself?
Confusion flickered
across Liam's face
as he collected
his thoughts
for a moment.
What do you mean by that?
I came here looking for someone.
Have you seen...
Luna?
Luna?
Oh, how charming,
the old man replied,
his eyes narrowing slightly
Maybe the question
is not whether I have seen her,
but whether you truly understand
the nature
of your exploration.
Is it the pursuit
of a person?
Or the pursuit
of a far
deeper
truth?
Liam hesitated,
caught off guard
by the old man's
cryptic response.
He struggled
to find
the right words.
I'm not sure...
I understand.
Luna...
is important
to me.
The old man's eyes
flickered sideways,
a subtle movement
that hinted
at unspoken thoughts.
He stepped closer,
the faint scent
of old cigarettes
clinging to him,
and paused,
as if relishing
each moment.
Two bonded beings,
you and Luna
endlessly drawn
to
hidden paths
and obscured quests.
But tell me,
boy,
if you were to find
Luna,
would you truly
understand
what you have discovered?
Or would it be like
the scent
of a cigarette
a fleeting moment,
soon...
to dissipate?
Liam's mind
spun with bewilderment.
Silence lingered
as he formulated
his next words.
What exactly
are you implying?
The old man
inched forward,
his voice taking
on a hushed,
unsettling tone.
Curiosity
can be a dangerous thing
young lad.
He breathed.
his face mere inches
from Liam's,
the stench of his breath
unbearable.
Some secrets
are best
left
undisturbed.
Liam stood firm,
despite the old man's proximity,
as his curiosity stirred.
Could finding Luna
be one of those...
secrets?
The old man's eyes
narrowed...
a glint
of something unreadable
flickering
within them.
Hmm… perhaps.
But consider this.
What if the truth you seek
is not
what you
expect?
What if it...
changes
everything
you know?
Liam's body
quivered.
a subtle
yet undeniable tremor.
Not just apprehension,
but also the moment's
weight.
The brink
between ignorance
and awareness.
Taking a deep breath,
He looked the old man in the eye
and said firmly,
I have
to know.
I can't...
turn back now.
A faint, enigmatic smile
appeared at the corners
of the old man's mouth.
Ah...
the determination of youth,
he chuckled.
Very well,
Liam.
Just remember
to tread
carefully,
and be prepared
for what will be
revealed.
Liam nodded
and as he watched
the old man disappear,
his thoughts
churned
with questions
and doubts.
Yet...
a spark
of courage
remained.
he had to Seek
The Truth.
With resolve,
he slid
the key
and pushed
the door open
r
e
v
e
a
l
i
n
g
a
h
o
m
e
bathed
in the
w
a
r
m
g
o
l
d
e
n
hues
o
f
the
s
e
t
t
i
n
g
sun.
