Emma:
The cabin was quiet after breakfast. Avery was perched on the floor, carefully lining up her little stuffed animals, brow furrowed in concentration. I was tidying the table when the sound of gravel crunching outside made both of us look up.
“They’re here,” Avery whispered, her small voice tight with uncertainty.
I froze, surprised at how quickly she seemed to shrink. But then I noticed something that stopped me in my tracks: her little hands clutched her fox tightly, and her eyes didn’t leave me. She didn’t want to go.
My chest tightened. We’d only met yesterday, only spent one night together, and yet… she already didn’t want to leave me.
I knelt beside her, keeping my tone gentle. “Hey… It’s okay,” I said softly. “I’m right here.”
Avery’s hands lingered in mine, squeezing just
