KORBIN
The bird was still, so still. Unnaturally so, had it been an actual bird. But it never was. Only a man - no, a boy - draped in feathers. Lost. Lost, but perhaps... perhaps not so lonely, after all. It watched the man as he shed tears, apologies spilling from a tongue that had never asked for anything the raven couldn't give. Releasing the hunter's calloused finger, the Korbin-bird blinked, and cocked its head.
"Why?"
The thought was crisp and clear, so sudden that even the raven was startled. Ruffling its feathers, it shifted in agitation, stepping from side to side as if debating whether to stay or flee. There was a war raging on the inside, man turning to beast turning back to man. Unsure which side to feed. Unsure which might win out.
Unsure, too, which side would lead to the greater sanity. Because the darkness called grief that had plaged a boy named Korbin was not gone. Only staved off, for now. Skin deep; it was a miracle the raven didn't bleed black.
"Why?"
The thought was crisp and clear, so sudden that even the raven was startled. Ruffling its feathers, it shifted in agitation, stepping from side to side as if debating whether to stay or flee. There was a war raging on the inside, man turning to beast turning back to man. Unsure which side to feed. Unsure which might win out.
Unsure, too, which side would lead to the greater sanity. Because the darkness called grief that had plaged a boy named Korbin was not gone. Only staved off, for now. Skin deep; it was a miracle the raven didn't bleed black.
Young and alone on a long road,
Once I lost my way
Once I lost my way
