---
And there was a man sitting on a mat close to the cage, hands folded behind his head, staring up at the sky like the sky was a joke he liked to hear. He had a grin even when he did not smile. His eyes slid from one thing to another as if they could not stay anywhere long. A carved stone hung at his throat, shaped like a beetle.
It was Mardek.
Kai did not say the name. Cause he didn't know or perhaps he can't remember. But he saw the face one or two times. He kept his breath even.
"I am coming," he said. "I know where you are. Do not be afraid. Papa will come to save you. I will contact you when I am closer to you."
"Okay, Papa. I will be brave. I will wait for you."
The picture flickered. It went dark. Kai stopped the communication. But before it shut, a voice slid in on the edge, lazy and sharp at the same time.
