The Complete Story

By the time Xia Lun had fed the warhorse and lit a campfire with Renee, the last orange-red trace of sunset had vanished beyond the horizon. Brilliant stars filled the black night sky.

The campfire burned, and the comforting smell of firewood drifted out of the house with white steam rising from the bubbling soup pot.

In the wheat fields at night, ghost lights mingled with fireflies. Starlight spilled over the chirring insects, and the laughter of farmers returning late echoed through the ruined village.

Though Xia Lun and Renee made no effort to hide, the farmers who had survived the apocalypse knew better than to invite trouble. They paid no attention to the two temporary guests and tacitly left the empty cottage and its surroundings to them.

"Gurgle, gurgle."

The Bottomless Coffee Cup gurgled as steam curled over its rim.

Xia Lun yawned, picked up the freshly brewed coffee, and took a contented sip.

The bitterness slowly bloomed into a rich aroma in his throat. As warmth spread through him, the tension of their hard ride gradually eased. By the flickering firelight, he looked at Renee.

Though the soup was ready, Renee was, for once, in no hurry to eat. Usually talkative, she had fallen quiet. She sat hugging her knees, staring blankly at the fire. Orange-red light danced in her blue eye like a fleeting bubble of color in a tightly held dream.

Xia Lun saw a hint of sorrow and gloom in her eye.

He was surprised. Even Renee, who was as cheerful as a little sun, had days when she felt down?

But why was she unhappy?

Crack, crack.

The flames split the dry wood, sending warm sparks swirling upward. Without a word, Renee took a Melodica from an inner pocket. "Where did you get that?"