Seeker opened his eyes. For a moment, he thought he was still in the Slough. No—he was lying on grass, his head propped up. He was deathly cold. His hand shot to his chest—his Book was still there. He coughed and sat up.
A man squatted beside him, tending a small fire. He introduced himself as Companion. There was a twinkle in his eyes—not mocking, but more like a ray of sunlight breaking through bright clouds.
Seeker wasn’t quite sure why he’d said he was from the City of Destruction. But something in Companion’s gaze—steady, knowing—made it impossible to hold the rest back. His story came pouring out, or at least the part about his journey. There was no judgment in Companion’s eyes. Only understanding.
He ate the bread Companion offered and warmed himself beside the fire.
“Is this yours?” Companion asked, handing him the staff. “I found it in the mud next to you.” He nodded toward the Slough.
Seeker was still weak, but warmth and food had steadied him. So, they set out toward the Wicket Gate—staff in hand.
A wide, well-trodden path stretched out before them, and Companion walked with steady purpose, sure of his direction. Seeker walked beside him, leaning on his staff for support.
“The way is different than I expected… I imagined it to be… narrower.”
Companion laughed. “Judge a path by where it leads, not by how many people walk it. But you’re right—this isn’t the Narrow Way. This path leads to Pretense.” He paused for effect, glanced at Seeker, a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Which is where we don’t want to go. That’s why we aren’t walking that way.” He pointed back the way they had come.
Companion continued, his voice calm and firm. “I’ve pulled a few people out of the Slough, but not a single one this far off the path.”
Seeker hesitated. “I came from Uncertain. It’s just easier to say the City of Destruction. No one’s heard of Uncertain.” Companion nodded. He didn’t say a word—it was clear he hadn’t heard of it either. “It’s not exactly a lie. I do come from the City of Destruction, but…” He swallowed hard. “My parents brought me to Uncertain when I was young, and…”
“Why the Wicket Gate?”
“Well, there is no future in Uncertain. And no one welcomed me back to the City of Destruction. To be honest, I don’t even know the way. Besides…”
He reached into his jacket and pulled out his Book and handed it to Companion. “If I can just get to the Wicket Gate, I’ll be certain of the truth.”
“What about your family? Didn’t they give you any guidance?”
“My father told me not to take the journey.” He let out a bitter laugh. “I told him that…” He didn’t finish the sentence. “Mother, well, she…” He paused, then smiled. “I have a little brother. He’s too young, really. We don’t get along well anyway.”
Companion smiled warmly. “Now I know how you ended up in Despond. But all that is behind you now.”
