The late morning sun filtered through the trees in gentle, golden streaks, illuminating the clearing in patches that moved as the branches swayed faintly. The fire had dwindled to embers, warm but quiet, and the smoke curled lazily upward, dissipating into the early light.
Danielle sat on the log, the oatmeal bar she had been nibbling now nearly finished. The forest was calm, eerily so, but the warmth of the sun and the smell of pine offered a faint grounding comfort.
She took a few sips of water, watching the others gather. The liquid was cool and refreshing, running down her throat and chasing away the last lingering grogginess from sleep. Around the fire, the kids were starting to eat. Briar rubbed her eyes and stretched, Levi yawned and reached for his own breakfast. Hope and Tyler
