Morning came with pale gray light filtering through the canopy, accompanied by the sounds of forest birds and Tessa humming cheerfully while she packed up our camp.
How is she this energetic?
We started walking as soon as everything was secured.
Scarlet walked ahead of us, her nose working constantly, testing the air.
Tessa walked beside me, close enough that our shoulders occasionally brushed. Then, without warning or explanation, she reached over and took my hand, lacing her fingers through mine like it was the most natural thing in the world.
And kept humming some village song I didn't recognize, completely unbothered.
I looked down at our joined hands.
Then at Tessa, who was still humming and looking around with wide-eyed interest at the forest like she was on a pleasant morning stroll.
"Why are you holding my hand?"
She tilted her head, looking up at me with innocent confusion.
"Am I not allowed to?"
