TYX 4

¹“I’m hungry.” ²Yex speaks, walking beside Tee. ³The terrain is flat and full of life, but the evening air is cool, and huge trees cast long shadows onto the mossy forest floor. ⁴Tee responds, looking ahead. ⁵“We’ll eat soon. ⁶I’m hungry, too.” ⁷Yex does not respond, and only mimics Tee’s quick footsteps, moving swiftly through the forest. ⁸As the sunlight fades and darkness sweeps over them, fireflies fill the air, thousands, it seems, flashing hypnotically, and the two listen, for they can hear things in the woods, the snarling and rustling of creatures and beasts. ⁹Yex looks around, anxiously, perhaps concerned by the sounds of the forest, but Tee stays focused on the path ahead. ¹⁰The silence between the two is long, possibly the longest they’ve ever had. ¹¹Finally, Yex speaks. ¹²“If we keep moving, and we always find something to eat, will we live forever?” ¹³Tee responds after a few moments. ¹⁴“I’m not sure, but yes, I think so, although it will not be easy. ¹⁵Because we are only here today, and I know we are fragile, so we can die, I’m certain of that. ¹⁶But if we fight and work and sweat, day after day, then we can live not just today but tomorrow, too, so we can live forever.” ¹⁷Again, there is a long silence, and Yex appears to be lost in thought, but keeps up with Tee’s hurried pace. ¹⁸Yex speaks. ¹⁹“If you were granted one wish, what would it be? ²⁰I don’t know if I would wish to live forever.” ²¹Tee responds, but does not slow down. ²²“That’s a good question. ²³I’ve thought about it before, actually. ²⁴I think I’d wish to know who was here before us. ²⁵I know there was someone, I’m sure of it. ²⁶But you and me, are we special? ²⁷It’s hard to know, for time keeps secrets, it seems. ²⁸At the very least, I hope they were able to enjoy the grace of the forest.” ²⁹Yex listens, but yet again, there is silence, and the two continue to walk.