But here?
Everyone was taller.
Everyone.
And now this man—no, this snake or whatever the hell he was—stood in front of her like a tower wrapped in silk and mystery. He wasn’t just taller. He was elegantly taller, in that stupidly graceful way that made it even more annoying.
Kaya crossed her arms and sighed. Her jaw clenched.
What was it with this world and tall people?
And why did being shorter suddenly feel like an insult?
She didn’t know why it irritated her so much.
But it did.
A lot.
The sparrow, tied upside down like a badly wrapped gift, stared at the scene before him with absolute bewildernt.
....
(What the heck...?)
That sa woman — the very sa one who’d tried to roast him earlier, him, a creature as majestic and beautiful as a rare moonlight phoenix — was now standing there with a stunned expression. And not at him.
Oh no.
She was looking at that damn reptile like he was so divine miracle dropped from the heavens.
Him?!
The sparrow squawked, feathers puffing up in outrage. That scaly, cold-blooded, limp-limbed lizard?! She was giving him that look?
Please.
....
(Can’t even compare, he sniffed.)
Nope.
Not even in the sa league.
Not even the sa planet. And why?
CHIRPOP!
(Legs.)
That’s right. He had legs. Shiny, powerful, beautiful legs — even in beast form. Legs that glistened with glory. Legs that could’ve danced on wind and crushed egos.
’What did that reptile have?’
(Scales. And an attitude.)
The sparrow let out a dramatic sigh and wiggled his bound leg for emphasis, like a noble martyr.
Now he was sure of it — this woman had awful taste. Seriously. What was wrong with her?
[You can bet on that—she tied the knot with her ex-hubby and then went and killed him. So of course she had bad taste in n]
He tried pulling at the ropes again, hoping maybe one had loosened. Nope. Still tied tight. All he could do now was hang there and watch this ridiculous scene unfold.
...
They were now sitting across from each other, each on a stone, like it was so kind of peaceful picnic. And there was Cutie — hopping around like the perfect little housewife — serving them water.
"Here," Cutie said sweetly, holding out a leaf folded into a cup, filled with water. He handed it to Vayu like he’d just picked it from a royal spring.
Vayu took the leaf, gave a small nod, and started drinking calmly.
Kaya just sat there, one hand on her temple, staring at them in disbelief.
A rabbit... was serving water... to a snake.
She blinked slowly.
Wow.
Just... wow.
"So, if you’re done playing house, care to explain what you’re doing here?"
Kaya asked bluntly, arms crossed, her patience clearly running low.
Vayu froze mid-sip, then slowly lowered the leaf cup and looked at her.
"Um... you brought here. You kept with you. So... that’s why I’m here."
Kaya rubbed her temple, clearly done with the nonsense.
"I’m asking why you’re here. Not how. And don’t you dare lie or try to slither your way out of it."
For a second, sothing shifted in his expression — his eyes shrank, just a flicker, but enough for Kaya to notice. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Still alive in there, huh?
Vayu paused, his gaze fixed on her face, then finally spoke in a low voice.
"I don’t have anywhere else to go."
"Huh?" Kaya blinked. She felt like she’d heard sothing wrong. "What did you just—"
But before she could even finish the question, Vayu interrupted her, his voice quiet but firm.
"I don’t have anywhere to go."
Kaya froze, staring at him for a mont. Her eyes searched his face, waiting for sothing — a flicker of guilt, a sliver of truth, even a lie hiding under all that calm.
But she saw nothing.
Nothing in his eyes. No pain, no pleading. No excuses.
Just... blank.
She scoffed, shaking her head slowly. "So what now? You think I’m running an orphanage? Taking in every lost child and beast that wanders into my path?"
At that, both Cutie and Vayu looked at her, confused.
"Orphanage?" Vayu tilted his head like a curious puppy.
Cutie blinked. "Is that... food?"
Kaya stared at them both in silence for a beat before dragging a hand across her face.
Now Kaya understood exactly what her ntor used to feel—every single ti soone had asked how vending machines worked, or stared at one like it was a relic from an alien world. That deadpan silence, the slow burn of disbelief, and the way her ntor would rub her temples like she was physically holding her sanity in place.
Back then, Kaya used to find it funny. Now? Not so much.
Staring at the rabbit and the clueless snake sitting side by side, she felt the sa twitch behind her eye. The sa sigh building in her chest.
Without a word, Kaya stood up.
She wasn’t so doe-eyed girl who swooned over a pretty face or a tragic sob story. Her life was too ssy, too practical, for that nonsense. A harmless rabbit? Fine. At least Cutie wasn’t poisonous. But a snake? A literal one? She didn’t care how silent or good-looking he was—she wasn’t stupid. Who knew what kind of danger he could beco if she let her guard down?
She turned her back on them without a second thought, walking toward the cave with clear intent.
She had no plans to play saint, or savior. She wasn’t Mother Teresa collecting strays off the road. She had her own problems, and dragging more baggage behind her wasn’t in the plan.
But as she stepped forward, her foot caught on a loose stone, slipping just slightly—enough to make her stumble. Her jaw tightened. She clenched her fists, holding back the wave of irritation curling through her chest like heat.
She could feel him behind her.
Turning around slowly, her eyes narrowed, and she locked eyes with Vayu.
Her voice was low, quiet, and edged with frustration.
"Stop following ."
"I have nowhere else to go," Vayu repeated, his voice low but steady.
User Comments
0 comments from readers