Lesh’s hut wasn’t far away. But maybe it was. He had sunken into thoughts about the afterlife and what it would be like to live with Morana, making time intangible. He had lived in that forest for so long that he knew the trees and stones by name. They knew him too and treated him with respect for living so long. Everyone else seemed like a child to them so they didn’t even bother to greet them.

What would it be like to leave the forest? Do they have trees and animals to talk to outside? Do they have a chasm? Lesh was scared of the unknown, but he hated the known. They say Morana’s kingdom was a nightmare incarnate but at least there was hope. In the bottom of that chasm he found the hope to find something better than what he had today. It couldn’t be worse from what he has right now can it?

Morana told him that death is the first kingdom, where we all come from and where we must all return to one day. Was his jump not just a submission to the rules that every living thing had to abide by? Was living not an act of rebellion?

The sound of his thoughts silenced the footsteps that followed him. The image of the chasm blinded him to the pair of eyes that watched him through the trees. Lesh would have seen them an hour ago but hope is the cruelest of curses. It could make you forget that you’re living in hell.

Hope greeted him, stretching the chain that held her to its limits.

“Hope! How is my little girl? Look, look! I’ve brought you food.” - Leshy said and brought out the bread and meet from his pockets, the dog already drooling.

Its cold nose told him that Hope had to bare another freezing night outside. Her ribs poking through the skin reminded him how long it’s been since she’s had a proper meal. He gave her everything he had in his pockets, not splitting the spoils. He’d be dead in a few hours anyway, it won’t matter if his belly had protested for a little longer.

Lesh’s hut was built around a big tree. He couldn’t find any worshippers to build him a temple, he had no knowledge about building and little strength. Still, he managed to haul wood from abandoned houses and tried to memorize how they were put together. The walls managed to stop most of the wind but the roof had decorative purposes. That’s why he built it around the tree, so its crown can protect him from the rain.

“It’s a sin to waste good food on a mut, old man.” - a voice suddenly came behind him.