Elaine
I hadn’t expected the evening to split us up so easily. When everyone decided to take a walk, it turned out that only Carla and Karrie stayed behind—Karrie wanted to rest and Carla claimed she needed to fix her nails. That left the rest of us heading toward the woods, falling naturally into a loose pack formation without anyone having to say a word.
As always, Kave led the way, his tall frame confident and commanding, each stride purposeful. I kept one step back and slightly to his right, close enough to feel anchored to his presence but not close enough to call it intimacy. John followed us, steady and alert, while Helen moved at his side. Giselle and Franz trailed just behind them, and at the very back, Rose and Daniel walked together in quiet rhythm.
I had hoped—selfishly—that
