The early morning light filtered through the dense forest surrounding Mike’s cabin, dappling the ground with soft, golden hues. Liam stood near the edge of the clearing, his bag slung over one shoulder, his stance steady despite the nervous energy radiating from him. Mike stood across from him, arms crossed, his rugged face set in a rare expression of contemplation.
“You’ve come a long way,” Mike said, his voice low but steady. “Not many people would’ve made it this far.”
Liam offered a faint smile, adjusting the strap on his shoulder. “I had a good teacher.”
Mike scoffed, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of pride. “Don’t get sentimental on me now. You’re not done yet. This”—he gestured to the cabin, the woods, the grueling weeks they’d spent together—“was the easy part. Out there, th
