It barely opened its mouth intending to bite down on Seventeen.

Seventeen dodged it.

Minutes later, the last wild beast was dealt with.

Along with the other two beasts, they were piled at one side, the air thick with a pungent, cloying stench of blood, enough to make one vomit.

Seventeen, gasping for breath and limping on one leg, made his way to the cave entrance.

He remained silent, quietly found a spot to sit down, and kept watch over Hannah.

Night turned to day, and a light rain at noon washed away the bloodstains on Seventeen’s body.

After the rain stopped, he cooked the beasts from the previous night, starting a fire to roast the meat.

The meat chunks pierced by branches were roasted over the fire. He timed their rotation, and the finished meat was slightly charred on the surface, perfectly done—not raw, nor overcooked.

It tasted very good.

Seventeen knew Hannah liked roasted meat, so he had practiced many times in private.

He took the cooked meat off the fire, placed it on clean leaves, then passed it into the cave through the entrance.

He opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately fell silent again.

He feared Hannah would resist and reject him, so he simply chose not to say anything.

One meal in the morning, one at noon, one in the evening.

Each time, Hannah didn’t touch the food he sent in.

Seventeen would eat the cool meal from the previous time himself, then send in the freshly prepared warm food.

After three days, Hannah still hadn’t touched any of the food he sent in.

Seventeen bowed his head, stayed quiet for a long time, and finally chose to speak, "If you don’t want to see me, I can leave."

In Brille, a stranger’s overture could be dangerous.

Even though he didn’t consider Hannah a stranger, she wouldn’t think the same.

There was still no response from inside.

This time, Seventeen chose to leave the prepared food at the entrance and got up to walk away.

Knowing Hannah to be highly vigilant, he didn’t hide nearby but actually left the area.

In the stone house, there should be things Hannah really liked, which he at least wanted to pack up for her. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

...

Perhaps because of what happened to James and the others, in the following days, no one dared to enter the stone house again.

Especially when they saw Seventeen return, everyone hid.

Just like they used to do when they saw Hannah.

One little witch had gone, only for another little demon to arrive.

They thought that Seventeen probably had his eyes on the stone house.

After all, it was the best house in the whole of Brille.

The door of the stone house was still ajar, and the pumpkin lanterns dropped at the door were muddied beyond recognition.

Seventeen didn’t take another look and simply stepped over.

The once warm and pretty house could no longer be identified in its original state; those bright colors became out of place here without an owner.

Inside the house, clothes, papers, and utensils were scattered everywhere, yet the potted plant by the window had miraculously survived.

Seventeen remembered Hannah loved that plant, even though it bloomed only one flower at a time.

He only packed some of Hannah’s clothes, stashed everything into a backpack, and then took the plant as well.

Since the young man called Archer had chosen to leave, from then on, Seventeen would watch over Hannah.

Even if she chose to always hide in a corner and not come out.

When leaving, Seventeen noticed a painting hanging on the wall.

The painting had stars, the earth, and under the night sky, two little figures holding hands.

It was the painting Hannah and Archer made together three years ago.

Seventeen reached out and took the painting down.