Considerations

When I awoke the next day, my face felt sticky with tears. Cassi was already watching me. As soon as my eyes opened, he came to sit at the edge of the bed.

"Vie, I need to go fishing again today," he said gently. "I don't want you to be alone here. Would you come with me?"

I remembered the jungle cats and shuddered.

"You don't have to watch," Cassi added quickly.

I nodded, still groggy, and moved robotically to ready myself for the hike. Juno nestled against my shoulder, her tiny body trembling. I rubbed her soft pink head and whispered a comfort I wasn't sure either of us believed.

We walked in silence, collecting bark for letters as we went. I was determined to write back to Tails—to let her know I was alive.

Before we reached the river, we stumbled upon something unexpected: a pale canvas tent, school-issued, standing awkwardly in the undergrowth. Cassi froze. Then Zac emerged, yawning theatrically and stretching like a cat in the sun.

He saw us and smiled.

"Come to visit?" he asked, squinting through the light.

"We're fishing," Cassi answered shortly, already moving past.

"I want to speak with you," I told Zac, stepping between them. "You can come with us."

Zac raised a brow. "Your friend doesn't seem too keen."

I laughed lightly. "He's just like that. I think you'd like him if you gave him a chance."

Zac smirked. "Me give him a chance? I think you mean the other way around."

He walked beside me, filling the air with chatter about giant jungle moths and weird fruit. His enthusiasm made me smile.

"There are these enormous moths," he said, eyes wide.

I winced.

"Oh—right. I forgot you're not a fan."

"They're just a bit… creepy," I admitted. "Though I've never seen one around here."

When we reached the river, I settled on a rock and began scrawling a letter to Tails:

Dearest Tails,

I am alive and well. I don't know why your letters didn't reach me—our post here is delivered by birds, believe it or not.

This place is beautiful. I hope you might visit me one day, and your husband too.

I would never hate you for getting married… but I will always carry the guilt of not being there. I bet you looked stunning in your dress.

The jungle is everything we dreamed of—wild, and yet, it's embraced me.

I love you more than anything. Please write back soon.

Your sister.

I added a sketch of Juno curled on the sand.

Zac was peering over my shoulder. I turned away to give myself space.

"He keeps you on a tight leash," he said as he lay back in the grass.

I glanced at Cassi, who was fishing but casting anxious glances in our direction. His shoulders were slumped with something more than just physical fatigue.

"Last time he went fishing, I got attacked by jungle cats," I replied, trying to keep the tension from my voice.

Zac raised his hands. "Fair. But you're a strong woman, Olivie."

"It's just Vie," I corrected.

We lapsed into silence as Cassi caught a fish. I turned away at the moment he killed it.

I handed Zac the letters with a pleading look. "Can you take these when you go back? I don't want Tails to worry."

Zac tucked them carefully into his bag. "So… you've decided not to come back?"

I glanced toward Cassi. He was watching us more openly now. I gave him a small smile of reassurance.

"I'm happy here," I said softly. "Besides, you know what my father would do. He'd strip me of my freedom and marry me off, just like Tails."

Zac studied me. "Vie—Olivie—for such a smart woman…"

"What?" I snapped, louder than intended.

Cassi twitched; a fish splashed past him, unhooked.

Zac leaned close. His breath stirred the hair at my temple.

"There are more than just two options. You could come back and live a life on your own terms. A sunlit room filled with your drawings. A place Tails could visit. You could see her every weekend. You'd be free."

I scoffed, but something in me flickered.

"I'm serious," Zac pressed. "You don't have to choose between your father and hiding in the jungle. You could come back with me. I'd help you find housing for next term—"

"And then what?" I asked.

"Then you live your life. You're more than just a survivor, Vie. You don't have to disappear to be free."

I recoiled. "This is the first time in my life I've felt like I belong somewhere."

"That's my point," Zac said gently. "You could belong in so many places. Just… try. Give the world a chance."

"And what about Cassi?" I challenged.

Zac shrugged. "Cassi's a big boy. He can take care of himself."

Cassi had stopped moving altogether. I went to him instinctively and stood by his side, protective.

"You don't know what it's like to be lonely," I said, my voice sharp. "I watched you from my window. You always had friends, brothers. You have no idea what it means to belong nowhere."

Zac rose to his feet, hands at his sides. His voice was quiet. "If you change your mind, you know where I am."

I watched him leave, clutching the letters like a promise.

Cassi's voice broke the silence. "He struggles to understand you."

I turned to him. "I'm not going with him."

His eyes met mine, wide and searching. I nodded, and his posture softened. I reached for his hand. He didn't say anything, but his fingers threaded through mine.