Ravensblood Forest Μέσα στη δίνη

He left the sea. In time he would return to the beach; for now Panacea ventured inland, finally caving to the restless itch of his bones. It felt good to move, though the world felt no less empty. Oh, it was a vast place, and full of all brands of people and things, but not for him. Never for him.

Thrice abandoned, once outcast. What was he but a drifter down the back roads of life? There wasn't a soul out there who would be waiting for him now, or wondering about him. No one to weep for him if he never made it back to the beach. No one to notice at all.

He found himself in a shadowy forest, surrounded by the alarming glints of red sap, and marveled at it for a time. Panacea had always been fascinated by the unique, and painfully aware of his own lack. Surely a less boring boy would, by now, have found some semblance of companionship. But there was nothing special about him at all. He was just a little odd, and a little sad, and maybe more than a little lost.

He reached up to taste some of the sap on a whim. Even if it tasted horrible, it would still be a distraction.