Chapter 190. Peace and Quiet
I started to join the puzzle pieces, trying to connect the branches in my mind—to see what kind of pattern they were forming. After concentrating for a while, letting the lines twist and converge, I came to a conclusion.
It was a bizarre shape.
The more I stared at it, the clearer it became.
It looked like the face of a reindeer—only instead of eyes, it had a pair of twisted, broken horns. There was something writhing between them, a tangled, fleshy mass. A tentacle. Or maybe several, wound together. That was the shape that kept forming in my mind, no matter how many times I tried to unsee it.
Kaelira winced beside me, taking a small step back. "A reindeer with tentacles... what kind of cursed face is that? I’m sure this is just a coincidence. If this is some kind of code language or symbol. Maybe a cult’s weird crest." She muttered, voice strained. "Then whoever made this needs therapy."
I gave her a sidelong glance, my tone dry. "Hmm... yeah. Just as you said. Let’s get out of here. No need to waste time on... on this coincidental monstrosity."
Kaelira nodded, humming absently as she turned around and began walking back the way we came. I followed her after a pause, giving the shape one last glance over my shoulder before I turned away.
I kept pace with her and asked, "So, should we head back? It’s already night. We should probably return before this Weeping Forest actually starts weeping. I’m not planning to babysit a tree that needs emotional support."
Kaelira shot me a sharp look. "Are you trying to be funny? Because that sure as hell isn’t. Don’t disrespect someone’s cry like that. You don’t know what kind of pain might lie behind it. Mind you—it takes a lot for someone to cry."
I tilted my head slightly and responded in a blunt tone, "What kind of bullshit are you spouting? Girls cry all the time. It doesn’t take that much for someone to cry... unless they’re prideful or egoistical. Everyone has a sore spot—once that gets poked, they burst like a dam."
"Even you?" she asked suddenly, her voice barely above a whisper.
I didn’t say anything. I simply walked ahead, letting silence answer for me. Her steps faltered slightly behind me, and I heard it—her breath catching, a small sigh escaping her lips. I didn’t look back.