na's

nting warm streaks across the edge of my bed. For one

f the previous night

Alp

d-stain

lling

er ordinar

leep, mind blissfully bla

red. Then reality sharpened. The curt

g came ru

g a hand to my forehead. "W

stared at the ceiling as

nvolve t

choed, sharp

ight laughter floated in through th

me from th

oup of children chased each other across the open space, their giggles dancing o

searched in

asn't

was always the loudest, the

was just r

er me, when something small and white caught my eye

ach tig

ee. The moment it touched my fingers, somet

e note with t

lines. Tha

ave to

warn

d. A cold wave cr

game. It was

ges crumpled. Outside, the children kept playing, their laughter

hing was

in my chest-sharp

ecause I walked with the Al

w cle

of the room, the note clutched in my fis

art pounding, thoughts spinning-unti

aught me befor

itched as I

ha

eat, the wor

en raced for an entir

ression softening instantly.

," he said gently, "

t. I quickly tucked a strand of hair b

, forcing a smi

hing. "You don't look fi

cond, I almost told him. Almost pulled

ing slammed

nvolve t

'm just nervous," I

hen nodded slowly. "Stay calm. E

though I no lon

d. "There's a ceremony

" I wh

ay. He gave me one last sear

, my forced smile crumbled. The fear ca

nd came running, laughing as they called my name. They wrapped

s another story

smile. "L

d and dashe

them go, c

ir trust. Their com

t understand.

ing happen to them.

etermination sett

in that forest," I whisper

costs me