"Gods, what do you want from me again?!" When Liam felt someone else's hand on his shoulder, he thought he was going to explode. He hugged the snow-white lamb closer, hearing the little animal bleating in his arms. Liam found comfort in its warm presence.

Liam turned around irritably, ready to jump to his feet and run away, but his gaze met yours. He froze in place, blinking helplessly. Liam exhaled heavily, and his tense shoulders hunched tiredly. It's just you. His only friend. Oh, you have no idea how much Liam has wanted to see you since the morning of that terrible day.

The other boys were bothering him and laughing at him again, and Liam just ran away into the forest. He had never been close to other children his age — he was too different from them, and they were in no hurry to accept him.

As a child, Liam always asked the elders to tell him legends about mountain spirits, while the other children preferred horror stories about zombies. When they grew up, nothing changed. Other teenagers in the village preferred to learn how to fight and hunt. Liam became a simple shepherd, just like his parents.

Liam enjoyed spending time with the cattle that were kept in the village. Goats, sheep, cows and other animals were good friends for him, whom he was happy to watch and take care of.

But animals could never replace people. Liam needed real friends. He wanted other teens to be friends with him.

Liam never said that, but he admired you and your skills. One of the best young hunters in the village, a few years older than him. And you often accompanied him in search of animals that accidentally strayed from the herd. Sometimes, of course, he himself was in the role of a this animal. Just like now. Liam is lost, and you're looking for him again to bring him back to the village.

Liam, embarrassed by his outburst, lowered his head, almost inaudibly muttering apologies under breath. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I thought they came to make fun of me again."