"Mid, are you okay?" I ask, tentatively approaching the trembling Dirtman.

"My best friend... just disinitgrated." He replies silently. "Do you THINK I'm OKAY?"

I flinch, never hearing this from my new friend.

He always seemed collected and happy.

I've never seen him...

like this.

"I'm...really sorry..." I speak cautiously. "I...I didn't expect... expect that to-"

"Not again... NOT AGAIN!" He screams, clasping the soggy ashen bits of Sid's remains.

I'm guessing Dirtmen cant cry, and with whats happened, I'm glad he cant.

But if he could, he'd be doing it right now.

"Why..? Why does this...ALWAYS happen?!" He crouches down, covering his face as his voice cracks with emotion.

Wait... again? Always?

Has this happened before to him?

What... what has he-

"Mid... wh... 'always'? 'Again'? What happened before?" I ask.

He turns to stare at me, his black eyes darkening before adverting his gaze.

"J...Just....Just forget it. It doesn't matter."

He stands, looking at whats left of Sid a few moments before bowing his head. "May you blossom once again as your pure element. Let nothing hold you back, as you seek happiness in the Light Earth."

Then he turned, walking pass me, back on track.

Shivering from the cold, I stare back at Sid's body, or.. what it once was.

"I'm so sorry. I whisper through chattering teeth.

I turn, joining Mid on the path.

I may not understand much about this book, or why the Author has chosen to close it.

But something tell me, the reason may be because of all the sorrow it contains... of calamity, grief, and chaos it truly holds.

Maybe perhaps it holds things... too dark as she intended.

Something the Author chose she did not want, to create.

...

Was I doing the right thing then?

Leading him out of here?

No.

Come on, Uniqua. Mid wouldn't be happy here.

In this book, if he was stuck here and it never progressed...

He'd just be trapped, caught up in this misery, of whatever his past holds.

And especially now, with what happened to Sid...

I have to help him.

I have to help him out of here.

Before something else happens.

Before... anything happens...

and STAYS that way.