The fire crackled to embers, shrouding the cabin walls in flickering shadows. I did not sleep. Instead, I lay there and listened for Avalor's gentle breathing across from me. The forest growled beneath the night, with rustling leaves and far-off howls reminding me that danger was always there, lurking out of sight.
The baby shifted again, this time like a wave of discomfort. I cradled my belly, hoping to soothe the little one. This life inside me was my only solace - flicker of light in this consuming darkness that surrounded us.
A floorboard creaked. My heart skipped a beat. I looked toward the door, but it was George standing there, his mischievous grin barely visible in the dim light. He slid sidelong as a hungry animal moves, without the smallest sound sitting down beside me.
"You can't sleep, either?" he whispered.
I narrowed my eyes. "What do you want, George?