Night deepened.
Silence stretched across the site.
No birds chirping.
No animals shouting.
No insects buzzing.
As though the entire forest had fallen asleep along with our group.
Occasionally, the cracking sound of the raw wood inside the campfire could be heard.
The orange glow from the fire enveloped the surrounding camps.
On the left side of the camp stood a cart.
Inside it, Elvan lay on his back.
His breathing was steady.
Probably asleep.
Tom was sleeping beside the cart.
Behind Tom, darkness extended.
The campfire’s light could reach that area.
The originally brown fur of the horse was now separated into two shades.
The front was brownish-orange, and the back was pitch black.
Suddenly, Tom woke up.
“…Hnng.”
He let out a small sound and nudged the cart beside him with his head. Get faster updates on g.com.
Moments later, a figure poked its head out from the cart.
Covering his mouth, Elvan asked,
“Ahha…
what’s wrong?”
Then his eyes landed on Tom, who was staring at something in the darkness.
Elvan looked at his back, because only the back of Tom’s head was visible to him.
His sleepiness vanished.
Following the direction of his head, he too started staring into the darkness.
As far as his gaze could extend, there were only trees and bushes in that direction.
“…What’s wrong?” he asked again while rubbing his eyes repeatedly to get a clearer view.
“There’s nothing in that area.”
He said this while climbing out of the cart.
Midway through his movement, Elvan saw Tom, who had been staring into the darkness, slowly snuggle his head against his stomach.
Throughout the process, he didn’t turn his head towards Elvan.
“Now, you’re…
starting to creep me out.”
The horse didn’t respond.
Soon, Tom’s breathing became steady.
“…Tom, are you…
alright?”
He carefully approached Tom, who appeared as if he were just sleeping.
Then he slowly extended his arm to touch his fur.
“…Hnng.”
The horse let out a soft sound.
While stroking him, Elvan stared back in the direction Tom had been staring.
Everything seemed normal.
Slowly, his hand extended towards Tom’s stomach.
“Everything’s normal.
No fever…
nor stomach issues.”
Elvan muttered to himself before standing.
“…Don’t worry.
I’ll take you to a doctor tomorrow.
Just endure it for tonight, partner.”
Before returning, he placed a basin of water nearby and mixed a few pills into it.
“This should help with the pain for the time being.”
But Tom didn’t move…
….Sigh.
“Drink it.”
Elvan said while climbing back into the cart.