Chapter 8: Sealed

Here's the moment I keep circling: after the head comes off, he doesn't run. He sits with his hand still open where the cup was and watches the duel all the way to the end. That's the part that scares me more than the head did. Then he does run, and the mountain takes itself back, and Ruthie — who sat at that table and was fed like he was — is the one who doesn't open her eyes. He ate there and walked off on his own two feet, and I don't think he ever gets right with that.
If you'd like to read ahead, early chapters are available on my p*****n: https:///zuochuang