Smoke Beneath the Leaves

Rumi and Sarah returned to the others just after dawn.

The group had gathered around the fire, eyes dull from a restless night. Mia looked up first—and something flickered across her face when she saw Sarah's hand in Rumi's.

She smiled.

Tight. Fragile.

And then looked away.

But the silence said everything.

Later, while Leina and Alimi scouted, Rumi and Sarah sat side by side, speaking softly. Laughing sometimes. It was easy in a way it had never been. Real. Uncomplicated.

That's when Mia approached.

Alone.

"Can we talk?" she asked Rumi, voice barely above a whisper.

Sarah looked at her—eyes steady, but cautious.

Rumi stood. "Yeah."

They stepped away into the trees, just far enough for privacy, but close enough for the scent of ash and pine to still cling to the air.

"I saw what happened," Mia said.

Rumi didn't pretend to misunderstand. "Yeah."

"I thought… maybe…" She looked at him, eyes soft with a memory. "Do you still think of me?"

Rumi hesitated. Then nodded. "Sometimes."

"That kiss with David... it wasn't what I wanted. Not really. I was scared. And maybe a little stupid."

Rumi smiled sadly. "We all were."

Mia stepped closer. "But I see you now. And maybe... I was just late."

He looked at her for a long moment.

Then gently took her hands, held them, and let go.

"You'll always matter to me," he said. "But not like this. Not anymore."

Tears welled in her eyes, but she nodded. "Okay."

Then, from the trees:

"Touching."

David.

Rumi turned, instantly alert.

David stepped out from behind the brush, arms folded. But his usual smirk was gone. In its place was something colder. Darker.

"How long were you there?" Rumi asked.

"Long enough to watch you play the hero." He stepped closer. "You always wanted to be more than you are, Rumi. Now you think just because the forest likes you, we should too?"

"You don't have to like me," Rumi said. "Just don't get in the way."

David smiled. "I already did."

Mia's eyes widened. "David... what did you do?"

David held up a small carved totem—one of the ancient forest markers. Its runes were dark with something wet. Blood.

Rumi's stomach dropped.

"That was meant to stay buried," Mia breathed.

David shrugged. "I made a deal. A better one. The forest listens to power. And I brought it something worth listening to."

As if in answer, the trees began to groan.

Dark vines coiled down from the branches. The air thickened. Something massive stirred in the shadows.

Sarah and the others came running.

"What's happening?" Sarah cried, seeing the look on Rumi's face.

"He summoned something," Rumi growled. "And it's coming."

David backed away into the mist, grinning like a man who'd lit a fire and thrown away the water.

"I told you," he called. "Only the strongest deserve to lead."

Then he vanished.

And behind him, the forest split with a scream—

Something ancient had awakened.