The hunter kept moving through the dense forest, Ezra tucked close under his arm. The boy's eyes darted around, trying to make sense of the darkness and shadows that surrounded them. Every crackle of a branch or rustle of leaves made him flinch, but the hunter's pace was steady, purposeful.
They didn't speak much. There was no need. The forest was alive with quiet sounds—the distant hoot of an owl, the hum of insects—and the weight of what had happened hung heavily in the air.
After what felt like hours, they found a small clearing. The hunter slowed and gently set Ezra down behind a cluster of bushes, then quickly fashioned a simple shelter out of fallen branches and leaves. The shelter was rough but enough—protection from the elements and a temporary refuge.
"Here," the hunter said softly, kneeling to Ezra's level. "We'll rest here for now. We've made it past the worst part, but it's not safe to stay out in the open."
Ezra looked around, still trembling slightly. His small hands clutched at the fabric of the hunter's coat. Despite the fatigue tugging at him, questions bubbled up ready to spill out.
"Why are they after us?" Ezra finally whispered, voice trembling.
The hunter hesitated for a moment, then answered softly, "Because you're special. That's all I can say for now."
Ezra looked up at him, confusion and fear mingling in his eyes. "What does that mean?"
The hunter's expression softened as he gently brushed Ezra's hair. "It means they want what you have—your potential, your strength. But right now, the best thing is to stay hidden. That's why I brought you here," he said, meeting Ezra's eyes confidently.
They settled into the shelter, the flickering shadows from the fire dying down. Ezra's eyelids fluttered as exhaustion began to claim him, but his mind refused to rest completely. Despite the safety of the temporary refuge, questions swirled—why he felt different, what was coming next, and what his future might hold.