The sun was coming up slow. The sky was still grey, like it wasn't ready to smile yet. Coker and Sera walked through the quiet forest, not saying much. The trees drip water, the ground still wet from last night's rain. Every now and then, birds chirp, but not too loud. It was that kind of silence that feel heavy. Like it holding secrets.
Coker kept his distance. Not too far, but not too close either. He walk a little ahead, hands in pockets, his coat still damp. Sera follow behind him, arms folded, wearing the same look on her face. Like she got too many thoughts but no words to say. She didn't complain. Didn't ask questions. And Coker like that. He didn't like people who talk too much. Talking bring problems.
They reach a small river. The water clear, cold. Coker kneel beside it and cup his hands to drink. Sera sit on a stone nearby. She watch him, her silver hair shining under the morning light. Her clothes still dirty, ripped at some places, but she didn't care. She was just staring at the water. Like she looking for something inside it.
"You can drink," Coker said, not looking at her.
She nod and kneel down too. She didn't say thanks. Just drink, slow and quiet.
After some minutes, she ask, "Where we going?"
Coker shrug. "Don't know. Just walking."
"Walking where?"
He look at her now. "Away."
She nod again, like she understand what 'away' mean.
Coker stand and look around. No towns in sight. Just trees, rocks, and the wind moving slow. He didn't wanna go back to any town. They all the same. People look at him like he's a monster. He stay one night, maybe two, then something bad happen. Fire. Screaming. People throw stones. So he stop trying. He stop staying.
Sera stand too. Her feet bare, but she didn't care. She look like someone who already been through more than enough pain. She didn't ask about his past. She didn't tell hers. And that was okay. Coker didn't want to talk about his past either. Talking about it bring it back.
They walk more, deeper into the forest. The wind blow harder. Cold. Coker look back once, just to make sure she's still following. She was. Always two steps behind.
Then she said something strange.
"You don't say your full name, do you?"
Coker stop walking. His back stiff. His hands close into fists.
"No," he say, voice low. "Why?"
Sera stop too. "I just noticed. You only said Coker. People with names like that... they usually hiding something."
He turn around slowly. His eyes not angry, but sharp. "And what are you hiding?"
She smile small. Sad kind. "Same thing, maybe."
They look at each other a long time. No words. Just wind. Just breath.
Then Coker turn back around. "We don't talk about names," he said. "Names got power."
Sera follow him again. She didn't say anything more.
By afternoon, they reach a village. Small, quiet one. Wooden houses. Dusty roads. Smoke from chimneys. Some kids playing far off, a dog barking somewhere. Coker stop at the edge of the village. His stomach made noise. He hungry. Sera heard it too.
"We should get food," she said.
Coker shake his head. "They'll see me."
"You don't look scary," she say.
He give her a look. "I always don't look scary. Until something catch fire."
She stay quiet. He sigh and take a step forward.
"We'll just get bread and leave. No staying."
They walk in. People glance at them. Some nod. Some look away. Old man by a bench give them strange eyes. Coker avoid them. They find a small shop. Sera go inside. Coker wait outside, his hand shaking a little. He don't like being near people. Not anymore.
A moment later, Sera come out with two small breads. She give one to him. "I said you was my cousin. And mute."
Coker take it. He almost smile. "Smart."
They sit under a tree outside town. Eat in silence.
After finishing the bread, Sera ask soft, "You ever wish the curse would just... go away?"
Coker look at the sky. It was turning orange now.
"Every day."
She lean back on the tree, close her eyes. "Me too."
He didn't ask about her curse. He could tell it was bad. Maybe not fire. Maybe worse. But right now, they didn't need to explain. They just needed to keep walking.
When the sun was low, and the wind turn cold again, Coker stand up. Sera follow. Together they left the village, just like ghosts passing through. No one remember them. No one would call their names.
And that was the safest way to live.
But as they walk into the night again, something felt strange.
For the first time in many years... Coker didn't feel like running alone.