Julien levels out his head so his chin is along the ground and hides in the straw, as flattened as he can get. His back is still over knee high, expanding and shrinking with each breath. Past him a black cloak is crumpled, partly concealed by his bedding.

"Don't look at me. Don't!" He groans, aware that this is pathetic, that he is pathetic. He should be quiet. They'll go away. "I don't want anyone to see me like this."