The next morning, before dawn, the tide rose and fell along the river. The horizon was pitch black and dead quiet. The two of them did not bother cooking, simply picking some fully ripe, round persimmons from the dozen or so persimmon trees near the hillside to eat. Axiu rested her head quietly on Gouge's shoulder, biting one by one into a persimmon that had its skin peeled off, while Gouge peeled the skin away and held it to Axiu's lips.
Gouge said, "Axiu, I want to go back."
After finishing the persimmon, Axiu smiled and said, "Do you want to go back and take a look here and there, Big Brother?"
Chapter 25