Traces of Life

"Brother, we cannot proceed further!"

Somewhere not far from the icy plains, two small figures were trotting along.

The larger figure was a boy wearing an animal's hide as a coat. He was carrying a bamboo basket and his shoes were already torn. His face was full of determination. "If we don't enter the icy gorge, how can we obtain enough herbs to cure father's illness? Don't forget that we have to give our contribution to the city master as well!"

"It's too dangerous out there. It's uncharted territories filled with poisonous insects and ferocious beasts, and they're all out to kill you!"

A little girl was pulling on his arm, and her big eyes welled up with tears.

"LEt go!"

The young boy was decided as he licked his lips.

"I'm not letting go!"

The little girl persisted. As the girl pestered her for a while longer, the young boy could no longer hold it in. As he waved his arm away, the little girl fell to the ground.