Plain Rice

I took a step back, eyeing the ghost horse warily. Sure, it had helped Peng get in, but after the day I'd had? For all I knew it could be another monster waiting to eat me.

"Peng peng!" The penguin bounced on its stubby feet, wobbling with each hop in front of the horse.

The horse dipped its head with what looked like amusement. Wisps of smoke curled from its body, wrapping around Peng. It let out a delighted "peng!" as it floated through the air and settled onto the horse's back.

Then physics remembered Peng existed. The penguin's body started to roll sideways but before it could fall, more wisps shot out to form what looked like a safety harness. Peng bounced in place, now securely buckled, looking far too pleased with itself.

"Having fun up there?"

"Peng!"

Well, if this ghost horse wanted to hurt us, it probably wouldn't have bothered with penguin safety features. Plus, anything beat staying in this dump.

The horse led us out into the night, its hooves leaving no prints in the dirt path . Moonlight spilled across the fields, turning the water into mirrors that reflected its ethereal form.

"Peng..." My companion had gone quiet, head tilted back to stare at the stars scattered across the sky.

I knew how it felt. Between the ghost horse's ethereal glow and the way the full moon painted everything in shades of silver, the moment was so magical I could almost forget we were trapped in this weird world.

After winding through the paddies, warm light peeked through a cluster of buildings ahead. What seemed like a village sprawled before us. The packed dirt streets were empty, but light spilled from paper lanterns strung between houses, casting a lazy glow.

The ghost horse led us through the sleeping village, past shuttered market stalls and closed doors. Even at this hour, the air smelled of fresh bread and herbs. Made my stomach growl. Right, I hadn't eaten since… well, I can't even remember when.

"Peng?" My penguin companion stirred on the horse's back, peering around with sleepy eyes.

The horse stopped in front of a hut near the village center. Unlike the other buildings, this one had warm light seeping through its walls. The structure wasn't fancy, but the woodwork was solid. Someone took care of this place.

With a shimmer of smoke, the wisps holding Peng dissolved. The penguin tumbled into my arms with a surprised "peng!"

The ghost horse nudged me toward the door with its nose.

"You want me to go in there?"

The horse's eyes met mine. It dipped its head once.

Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. The interior was simple. Bare wooden floors, a few cushions, and in the center...

A woman sat perfectly still, back straight as a blade. Her long silver hair caught the lamplight, bangs falling over clouded blue eyes. But what grabbed my attention was the something red carved into her chest, visible through her grey clothes. It looked fresh, like someone had taken a knife to her five minutes ago.

Was she asleep? Dead? Her chest rose and fell steadily, but otherwise she might as well been a statue.

Suddenly, the woman stirred. Her clouded eyes opened, focusing somewhere past me.

"Wuwei," she spoke, voice soft. "You can rest now. I'll take over from here."

The ghost horse, Wuwei, stepped forward. What happened next made me blink hard. Like paper folding in on itself, Wuwei's form collapsed inward. Within seconds, the horse had transformed into a flat shape no bigger than my palm.

The woman reached for a bundle of bamboo poles beside her, slipping the folded form of Wuwei into a narrow gap between the stalks.

I gaped. Peng squirmed in my arms, seemingly equally fascinated by the sight.

"Was Wuwei a good guide?"

"Y-yeah." I found my voice, still staring at the bamboo where Wuwei had disappeared. "Peng got along great with... them?"

"I'm glad. Wuwei always had a soft spot for small creatures."

My stomach chose that moment to let out an embarrassingly loud growl. Heat rushed to my face as I clamped my hands over it.

"You must be hungry. Please, sit. I'll prepare some rice."

I sank onto a cushion, Peng settling beside me with a content "peng." The woman rose from her spot and moved to a clay pot nestled in glowing coals, lifting the lid to release a cloud of steam.

"I must apologize in advance," she said as she scooped rice into a wooden bowl. "I'm only skilled at making the rice itself. Gran Gran usually handles the seasonings, but she's asleep at this hour." She handed me the bowl with both hands. "I hope you don't mind it plain."

"No, this is perfect. Thank you." After the day I'd had, even plain rice sounded like a feast. The warmth of the bowl seeped into my cold fingers as I took a bite. Despite being just plain rice, it was incredible. Each grain was perfectly cooked, fluffy yet firm.

Peng watched me eat with what looked like curiosity. Come to think of it, did it need food too?

I offered a spoonful to it. "Want some?"

Peng turned its head away with what I swear was look of disdain. When I tried again, it actually waddled backward.

"Your companion seems quite picky."

"Yeah, I have no idea what it even eats. Haven't seen it touch anything since we met."

"Perhaps it prefers something else?"

"Peng." The deadpan tone made both of us turn. Peng had flopped onto its side, flippers crossed in what could only be described as a protest pose.

"Or perhaps not." She then returned to her cushion, settling into that perfect posture again.

I shifted on my cushion. Those hazy eyes might not see clearly, but they sure felt like they were drilling straight through me.

"Is something wrong?" 

"Please forgive me."

"For what?"

"For what I'm about to do."

Her hand moved to the bamboo bundle beside her. She drew out a single pole, gripping it like a spear. Time slowed as she lunged, the bamboo stick cutting through the air. 

The pole was aimed straight for my head.