Ralph walked upriver, keeping a respectful distance from the water and from anything lurking there.

The ground started to rise, and the river disappeared in a ravine to his right.

He was mulling over the fact that everything was so quiet in this forest when he suddenly heard a sound, like a "woooop". It came from above, from the canopy of the trees. Looking up, he saw nothing but red and green leaves. But he felt a thousand eyes on him, watching him hungrily.

He decided to spend no more than one night out here. Tomorrow, he would head back to Hope. His brother, if he wanted, could kill him then.

Minutes later, there was another "woop" from the trees, closer this time. It was answered by a third one, only seconds later. As his eyes darted to its source, he thought he saw a blue shape disappearing into the foliage. But the light was getting dim, so it was hard to tell.

He walked on. It was getting brighter ahead, with more light between the trunks. The forest ended, not far in front of him.

Emerging from the woods, he found himself on a plateau formed by blackish rock formations. The endless sky above him had changed into a noticeably darker hue, and he felt an irrational fear of falling into it. He considered turning back, seeking cover under the forest's canopy, but then he heard a series of "woop"-ing sounds from that direction, which helped him to make up his mind. He would remain on the rocks.

Carefully, he approached the edge of the plateau facing the side of the river. The ground dropped there. His eyes found the water in the gloom far below. The view made him dizzy, and he quickly stepped back.

He turned towards the sun, which was setting behind a range of mountains in the distance. The sky there had assumed a livid tinge of orange while it had turned almost black elsewhere. First stars made their appearance, as well as the stencilled silhouette of a moon.

Sunset. He had seen it in pictures. But they did not even come close to the real thing. He had never imagined the sheer size of the spectacle.

It would be night soon. He had to find a place to spend it.

A stone's throw away, a rock stood on the plateau, jutting into the evening sky. It was about twice his height. He approached and found it to look reassuringly dead, solid and immobile. It would have to do. Having at least one wall close to him was better than being surrounded by the menace of thin air in all directions.