Hushed Willows It was no accident

She touched his shoulder and he did not react; not a flinch, not a snap, not a moment of slowing in his stride. Any awareness of his own bodily autonomy appeared to be missing.

The fire-woman spoke and the smoke-man laughed. It was a pinched sound, a wheeze bordering on a gasp, like he was trying to remember how to do what people do.

Told you this was the right way. See? Suddenly he swung his gaze to look at her, eyes glazed. He blinked a few times, slowly, and seemed to find some clarity in the motion; his head giving a little etch-a-sketch shake as he reconnected to reality. Oh.

He had stopped walking and was looking around, seeing the drooping trees and the drifting snow. When he spoke this time his voice was deep and present, and exasperated. I did it again.