The sky turned orange as I walked along the cobbled path on the outskirts of the village. The scent of damp earth mixed with the smell of firewood from the distant houses.
I didn't know how long I had been walking, but my steps felt light. No fear, no lurking danger. Just a peace that felt unfamiliar to me.
But I knew—this place did not belong to me.
I took a deep breath and turned around, ready to return to my hiding place.
However, before I could take a step—
"Big brother, who are you?"
That small voice stopped me.
I turned my head.
In front of me, a little girl stood with her head slightly tilted, gazing at me with curiosity. Her brown hair swayed in the wind, and her large eyes sparkled under the evening sunlight.
I remained silent.
"You're not from this village, are you?" she asked again, completely unafraid.
I looked at her and gave a slight nod.
The girl beamed. "Then, do you want to take a walk with me?"
I should have refused. I should have left.
But my lips moved before my brain could think.
"...Alright."
Her name was Ana.
She held my hand tightly, pulling me through the narrow village paths.
"I'll show you the most beautiful place!" she said excitedly.
I didn't respond, only following her small steps.
The first place we visited was a small river behind a hill. The water was clear, reflecting the golden light of the setting sun. A few children played at the edge, laughing freely.
"In the summer, my friends and I always swim here," Ana said while dipping her feet into the water.
I crouched and touched the surface. Cold. Clean. So different from the muddy water I had known in my past.
Ana looked at me with wide eyes. "Big brother, it's like you've never seen a river before!"
I stayed silent.
She didn't know that my world had only ever been filled with ruins and blood.
We walked through a wheat field swaying in the wind. Ana ran ahead of me, stretching out her hands, lightly touching the golden stalks.
"This is my father's field," she said proudly. "I want to work here someday, helping my mother and father."
I glanced at her.
This little girl had dreams.
Me? I had never even thought that far ahead.
As we returned to the village road, an elderly woman called out to Ana.
"Child, could you help me for a moment?"
Ana quickly ran up to her. "Grandma Sofie! What is it?"
The old woman pointed at an empty basket in her hand. "My chickens ran off again. Your grandfather is too weak to chase them."
Ana giggled. "I'll help!"
She turned to me. "Big brother, do you want to join?"
I should have left.
But for some reason, I nodded.
We arrived at the backyard of the old woman's house. A few chickens roamed freely while an elderly man sighed from the porch.
Ana chased the chickens with her cheerful laughter. But I knew a quicker way.
I crouched, observing the chickens' movements. In one swift motion, I caught one. It flapped wildly, but I held it firmly.
Ana stopped and stared at me in amazement.
"Whoa! You're amazing!"
I placed the chicken into the basket.
After a few minutes, we managed to gather them all.
Grandma Sofie chuckled and patted Ana's head. "You're a good girl," she said.
Ana grinned, but when the old woman turned to look at me, her smile faded slightly.
"You're an outsider, aren't you?"
I remained silent.
But before the atmosphere became awkward, Ana quickly said, "But he's kind, Grandma! He helped me!"
The old woman paused for a moment, then gave a small smile.
"In that case, thank you."
I didn't respond.
But deep inside, something felt different.
As the sun began to set, Ana led me to a small hill behind the village.
The sky transformed into a golden ocean. From up here, I could see the entire village, small houses with thin smoke rising from their chimneys.
I said nothing.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Ana asked softly.
I nodded.
In this place, it felt as if the cruel world never existed.
But I knew—this peace was not mine to have.
Night arrived. Ana held my hand and led me into the small forest on the village's edge.
"Come on, big brother!" she whispered excitedly.
I didn't understand until I saw them.
Tiny lights began to appear in the air.
Fireflies.
Hundreds, maybe thousands, flickering among the trees.
I was speechless.
Night in my past had always meant danger. But here, night felt like a dream.
Ana smiled in satisfaction. "I love this."
I looked at her.
It was as if this little girl wanted to show me the world I was meant to have.
But before I could truly take in the moment—
"ANA! WHERE ARE YOU?!"
A loud voice echoed from the village.
Torches flickered in the distance.
Ana tensed. "They're looking for me..."
I immediately became alert. If they found me with her, it would be trouble.
"I have to go," I whispered.
Ana hesitated, then pointed toward an old building. "Over there! You can hide!"
I nodded and quickly left before they spotted me.
The abandoned building was cold and dark. I sat in the corner, trying to close my eyes.
But footsteps approached.
I tensed, peeking through a crack in the wooden planks.
A group of people entered. Their clothes were worn, their faces filled with exhaustion.
Runaway slaves.
Among them was a silver-haired girl with red eyes.
I held my breath.
She… was different.
I could turn them in. I could earn a reward from the bandits.
But when I saw their faces… something inside me refused.
I sighed.
"Leave before dawn," I whispered.
They flinched, watching me cautiously. But the silver-haired girl stared at me for a long moment before nodding.
Without a word, they left.
I stayed in place, waiting for morning to come.
When the first light of day appeared, I stood up.
It was time to go back.
I walked toward the camp, but before leaving, I turned once more toward the village.
I knew—I could never have a peace like that.
But for a moment, I had felt it.