The Back That Disappeared into the Dark

Airnote  ·  Ruvina  ·  Sep 27, 2025

Just outside the Lodge door, Yu turned back.
I thought I saw the trace of tears catching the light.
Before I could hold that image in my chest, arms came around me,
and words followed.

"Thank you, Ruvina. I won't forget you.
And even if I do — I'll be able to remember."

I answered with my arms before I found any words.
Past every boundary, every role, every held-back thing —
just for that moment, I held on back.

Then Yu walked into the dark and was gone.
Only the drip of water, and the distant kan… kan… of the dream diggers remained.
Watching that back disappear,
I felt a small ember still smoldering in my chest.

Memory might slip away again.
But a warmth is here, without question.
Something that came before any word or gesture we exchanged —
the lingering glow of a light that doesn't go out.

So that next time —
if we meet again —
I might be shown the color of morning.
And stand beside you then, too.
I pressed today's ember down into the deepest part of my chest.