Chapter 6 (1/2)

This is the 6th chapter of the fantasy novel “The Rainlands” (雨の国) by Haruka Asahi (朝陽遥) which I a from japanese with the author’s permission It is about a man’s journey to a enous people and culture

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You can see a synopsis and table of contents with other chapters (as they are posted) referencedYou can find the original japanese text for this chapter

“The Rainlands”by Haruka Asahi:Chapter 6

It wasn't until three days later that I finally got my chance

Aftersure no one was around, I entered the tunnel that led deep into thethe sound of my footsteps

But so startled me when I reached a fork in the path

Silence Even though I'd come this far, the only sounds were that of the rain and wind

I ran to the boys' cells, afraid of what ht have happened

Yakt! Ian!

I called out their names, but there was no response How many days had they been imprisoned here? Was I too late?

After calling the boys’ na sound

Ian!

When I repeated his na as if he was dragging his body along Soon after I also heard a frail, thin voice whispering my name from within Yakt's cell

Thank God I breathed a sigh of relief and sank to e It was then that I finally began to feel Ian's eyes on my chest His nose had sniffed out the scent of the food

Ian let out a low groan

It was like the voice of a wild beast I shuddered, retreating a step back Ian crawled towards the bars and clutched theth that I was surprised he still possessed

For adevoured But once I came to my senses, I walked back to the cell and impatiently withdrew the remainder of dinner concealed in my sleeve

Ian extended his hand through the bars The lights in the passage revealed a set of gnarled fingers, like those of a skeleton

His hand, with its uncanny strength, snatched the sernails quickly withdrew into the cell, leaving a scratch on my hand I stared fixedly at the boy's mouth, half in fear and half in relief

But Ian's hand had stopped