"...and that was the moment that I realized it wasn't ever the plan for me to make it out alive," Huo Linghun said.

Xiao Xin's expression of great interest in his story turned to one of shock and fear. His previously pricked ears turned back in horror and he nervously covered his mouth with his hand.

"The one I called friend would rather let me die," Huo Linghun continued, "than share the treasure with me." Huo Linghun's own expression was laden with a deeply-buried anger that was resurfacing. His fist met the table with a controlled thump. "All that hard work and help I gave him and he abandoned me so easily."

Xiao Xin's gentle hand came to rest upon Huo Linghun's fist on the table. Huo Linghun's anger slipped away to be replaced with sadness. "We were supposed to be in it together," he said more softly. "We were supposed to be partners."

Xiao Xin worked his fingers into Huo Linghun's fist until they were holding hands. "What happened next?" he asked.

"After he cut the ropes he also blocked the cave exit- I could see the shaft of light slowly getting smaller," Huo Linghun said. "I kept yelling for him, asking him why, telling him that he could have the treasure if he would just not leave me there. He never answered me, and then he was gone."

Xiao Xin was on the verge of tears when he asked, "How did you get out of the cave?"

"All I could do was look for another way out and hope. We'd heard of an underground river in that cave so I searched for that until I found it, and then I followed it. It took a lot of walking and climbing but eventually it led me to another exit, hidden in the side of a mountain, covered in vines."

Xiao Xin let out the breath he was holding. "I'm so glad you made it out."

"Me too, my Xiao Xin," Huo Linghun agreed.

"Your friend only used you to get to the treasure," Xiao Xin said, anger now apparent on his face.

"He planned to use me in that way all along," Huo Linghun said blankly. "He was never even my friend, and I didn't figure it out until it was too late. That's why I've always traveled alone since then." He added with a smile, "Until I met you, that is."

Xiao Xin smiled too, leaning across their little bamboo table to press his forehead against Huo Linghun's. "I'm so glad I met you," he said.

"Me too, my Xiao Xin. Me too."