TYX 7

¹Rain falls from the sky as Tee walks, the sound drowning out the labored footsteps. ²The night is coming to an end, but heavy clouds keep the sky dark. ³Tee drags Yex, almost in the same way that the two traveled long ago, when Yex was healthy and sleeping. ⁴Now, Yex is sick and can hardly move. ⁵A flash of lightning illuminates the sky, briefly, revealing the vast and mountainous terrain. ⁶Tears begin to form around Tee’s eyes, perhaps out of fear of losing Yex. ⁷Thunder roars, and Yex mumbles something, but the words are unintelligible. ⁸Suddenly, in a brief moment, Tee trips on a small stick, and falls, sending the two tumbling down the face of the mountain. ⁹But they slide to a stop, by some stroke of luck, despite the slippery leaves and mud. ¹⁰Tee sits for a moment, dazed, as it all happened so fast. ¹¹Tee holds Yex tight, and looks up at the clouds above, before eventually standing back up, cautiously. ¹²Tee looks to the right, at the trees that stand strong on the slope. ¹³Then to the left, at the great valley below, beautiful, and full of life, but scary, for Tee knows that the two could never climb out if they ever found themselves there. ¹⁴Then in front, longingly, almost as if the city lights were visible, but only the terrain lies ahead, dark and static and wet. ¹⁵The tears stream down Tee’s face, but they are lost in the rain, which pours, strong and steady. ¹⁶Finally, Tee looks behind, taking one more moment to appreciate Yex’s gentle face, before continuing to move forward.