Exiting The Forest

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She was pushing herself.

I could see it in the way her body tensed with every step, the way she clenched her jaw, swallowing back the pain.

She was trying to hide it.

From me.

From herself.

But I didn't comment.

Because I knew Ma.

If I so much as suggested that we rest, she'd hit me over the head and keep walking out of pure spite.

And thus I was only watching her.

Every movement.

Every wince.

Every faltering breath.

I let her lead for now, but I stayed close, ready to catch her if she stumbled.

The forest stretched out before us, endless and unfamiliar.

Shadows danced between the trees, shifting with the breeze.

The remnants of our battle still lingered in the air—the scent of blood, the eerie silence that had settled after the chaos.

We had survived.

But we weren't safe.

I glanced down at my hands, flexing my fingers.