Ouroboros Spine baby you're a haunted house

they went away, together. away from the cold man. a part of tautukpik wanted to turn back; he condemned it, and told himself no—no! akmaaksi needed him now. she would always need him. he was the anchor, she was the flame. there was no space in their togetherness for more.

still, the temptation remained.

the cardinal. he could gather that. he could claim to be seeking that which was discarded; but only later, when the man wasn't waiting there for them.

wordlessly she wept! tautukpik became like fire, then. while she melted, he stood beside and sheltered her, and felt her body shake, and burned with anger that this winter-man might come and ruin everything!

i will make him leave, croaked the boy. he flashed his teeth in a scowl.