After speaking, she looked over, only to feel pain of shame grip her heart when she saw his expression. She didn't know this man, and he didn't know her, but somehow, he had already formed a horrible opinion of her. She could tell by the look on his face that he thought she was a monster. In absolute silence, she began strapping her boots on. When he curled up and began crying, she knew that it meant he could no longer stand her presence.<br/><br/>His face was buried in his knees, so she took her opportunity. Rising to her feet, she crept in absolute silence,  picking up her pack, and headed deeper into the trees. He had been the first to treat her with any shred of kindness in her long years. It was more than she had expected. Her soul was not completely black, but it changed nothing. It was black enough. She would never be able to change who she was. Casting one final glance behind her, she saw him as his voice faintly reached her through the trees as he said something to her.<br/><br/>She gave no answer as she turned her back and took up a southwesterly heading through the woods, hoping to reach town without using the road.