The rustling of the wind through the foliage seemed to have died down after the intense battle that had just taken place. The ground was littered with broken branches and tufts of mutant wolf fur. Yoona, hands on her knees, was breathing heavily, her hair sticking to her sweat-drenched forehead. She straightened up, wiping her face with the back of her sleeve, while Jisoo checked the footage captured on her camera.
— "Looks like an action movie," Jisoo murmured, still out of breath, before glancing at Yoona. "But seriously, you should smile more at the camera. You look way too serious right now."
Yoona shot her an exasperated look but didn't reply, her eyes shifting to Rain, who was still curled up against a tree a few meters away. The boy seemed petrified, his arms wrapped tightly around his knees as if trying to disappear.
Rain was thin, his clothes tattered and far too large for his frail frame, dark stains—likely dried blood—sullying his pants. His complexion was pale, and dark patches marred his arms and neck, revealing concerning signs of necrosis.
Yoona approached carefully, her steps muffled by the damp earth.
— "You're safe now," she murmured, crouching beside him, her gaze searching for his. "You don't have to be afraid anymore."
Rain recoiled, his breathing erratic.
— "D-Don't touch me..." His voice was hoarse, broken by days of silence and fear.
Jisoo, ever the tactless one, walked over with a rice cake she had pulled from her backpack.
— "Hey, kid. You should eat. It'll help you feel better."
Rain averted his gaze, his lips trembling.
— "I... I can't..." he whispered.
— "Why? You think it's cursed or something?" Jisoo quipped with a forced smile. "Come on, it's just a rice cake. Not something that'll doom the whole world."
Yoona placed a gentle hand on Jisoo's shoulder, a silent request for patience.
— "Give him some time," she said softly before turning back to Rain. "You're not alone. We're here to help you."
Suddenly, Rain broke into sobs, his hands covering his face. It lasted only a few seconds before he hesitantly reached out for the rice cake Jisoo was holding. He nearly snatched it from her hands and started devouring it with a desperation that took both girls by surprise.
— "Wow, he's eating like a wolf!" Jisoo exclaimed with a laugh. "Kind of ironic, given the situation."
Rain looked up at her, crumbs clinging to the corners of his lips. A faint smile appeared on his face.