He turned to Max, the Boy:

“Max, the courageous kid. You’ve come a long way, already. Aren’t you tired? This sure was a long journey for such a young boy.”

“I don’t feel tired, sir. And I’ll keep walking until I reach home. I have the help of my friends.”

Meryl the Mole nothing said. An immeasurable pain took power of their heart.

“Indeed, boy. You trully have found a treasure, haven’t you? But if I may give a word of advice: there are things more important than to reach an end. Maybe… maybe the real treasure is the journey, what do you think? So keep walking, Max, the Boy. Keep walking, until you find closure.”

He gently, at his manners, stroked Max’s hair, like a grumpy old grandpa would do.

“Now begone, or all your efforts will be in vain.”

They could feel the ghastly winds of putrid dread calling them from the outside.

It was time to go.

Meryl gave a last look to the warm yet alien house behind them.

“will we ever see each other again?”

Mr. Rato smiled, and Meryl couldn’t point if it was genuine or not.

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