The Munches guard slowly turned its massive head and glared down at Si Hon, its glowing eyes narrowing slightly as the fallen prisoner sat on the floor looking up with the same blank expression. The creature leaned forward a little, its heavy breath rumbling through its chest as if it was considering whether to simply crush him for the inconvenience.
But before it could move any closer—
The old man behind Si Hon stepped forward.
He placed a hand out in front of the boy in a calm but firm gesture.
"Ay, easy now," the old man said with a soft chuckle. "Let the kid go. He's a newcomer."
For a brief moment, the hallway went quiet.
The Munches stared at the old man.
Then, strangely enough, the creature huffed once through its nose and slowly turned its head back forward as if the situation was no longer worth its attention.
The line began moving again.
The old man reached down and grabbed Si Hon by the arm, pulling him back up onto his feet.
