chapter 34: shadows of yesterday
the night wrapped around the village like a shroud, quiet except for the occasional whisper of wind through the trees. ren lay awake on the thin mat maya had given him, staring at the cracked ceiling above. the silence was heavy, pressing down on him like a weight he couldn't shake.
his mind raced, fragments of images flashing in his memory—shapes he couldn't name, faces blurred by time and pain. the place where he'd been sleeping on the road haunted him still. why had someone attacked him? who wanted him broken and lost?
he clenched his fists, pride battling with fear inside his chest. he hated feeling powerless, hated that he didn't have the answers.
suddenly, a soft knock at the door pulled him from his thoughts. maya's voice followed. "ren, can i come in?"
he nodded even though she wasn't there yet.
the door creaked open, and maya stepped inside, carrying a small lantern that cast flickering shadows.
"couldn't sleep either," she said, sitting beside him.
he looked away, embarrassed by his restless mind. "i keep thinking about that night... the attack."
maya's eyes were gentle. "it's okay to be scared."
"i'm not scared," ren said quickly. "i'm pissed. i want to know why, who did it. i want to be ready next time."
maya smiled softly. "and you will be. but first, you have to face the darkness inside you."
ren swallowed hard. "the shattered self?"
"yes," she whispered. "it's the part that's broken, the part that's afraid and lost. but it's also the part that needs healing."
for the first time, ren felt the truth of her words seep into his prideful heart. maybe strength wasn't just about fighting others — maybe it was about fighting himself.
"thank you," he said quietly.
"anytime," maya replied.
as the lantern's glow flickered low, ren closed his eyes, ready to face the shadows of yesterday and the broken pieces within.