***

The boy opened his eyes again, and found himself in a dark cave. The pungent smell of tides was mixed with the rotten odor he got used to. It was the odor of dead bodies. The boy was already used to the smell, so he was not particularly frightened or suspicious.

His soaked body felt only cold and alone. A noise of something moving came out from nearby, so the boy turned to look. However, the cave was so dark that the boy could only see a hill-like shadow.

The boy burst into tears. He was of course frightened, but above all, he felt very lonely.

Suddenly, lukewarm breath brushed against his arm. He shivered, and then something smooth patted on his wrist. The touch is very much like birds’ feathers. It was a huge bird eagerly watching at his condition at this dark place.

He was so frightened that his body went stiffened, and the thing pressed its warm feathers against him. The boy was wrapped within the wings. It was so warm that the boy clang on the feathers.

“Mother…”

The boy cried, only calling his mother’s name.

***

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