She hadn’t gotten any rest all night, and it was almost noon. Though winter was approaching the sun was hitting hard, making the ground so hot that even with her boots her feet burned.
The sound of water running kept her going, a lake must be waiting for her some steps ahead.
She needed to go on, there was no other way of keeping Callum safe.
Rayla needed to go on, if not she would’ve left for no reason at all .
A year and a half. She’d been away five hundred forty-seven days. Yet those two months along with Callum and Ezran felt like an entirely different life, one where everything seemed possible , one where she was happy and safe and loved.
Nonetheless, the end would always be the same.
She needed to leave and Callum couldn’t go with her.
Rayla ought to protect him. She must be strong alone.
Ezran needed Callum and Callum needed to be safe, that was the deal, and that was how things were meant to be.
And it was fine. After all, she was taking care of both of them .
She was taking care of the people she loved.
But who is taking care of you? Whispered that traitorous voice in her head.
I don’t need anyone taking care of me , she answered back.
Lost in her thoughts she stumbled with fallen branches, losing balance she fell down. To reduce the impact her hands interfered , she heard leaves crushing below her weight, and small rocks snuck in her palms.
The world around her started to spin. Her breath became heavy and uneven.
When was the last time she’d drink water? She knew it had been at least two days without any real food, only seeds she had found.
Rayla chastised herself , sometimes when the what-ifs overcame her she forgot she was still alive and needed food and water to keep going. Silly fantasies of a cozy castle and warm arms wouldn’t make her survive.
She better keep going and find some water at least.
Rayla's eyes shot close as she gathered her strength. After a long inhale and exhale she was ready to stand up when cute and quiet chitters caught her attention. She kneeled down to have a better look around.
There were lots and lots of leaves on the ground, the snow hadn’t fallen yet, still, Rayla needed some minutes to distinguish the small grayish figure hiding between leaves and a bunch of dirt.
“Hey, there,” she said...