Forest:
We all sat in the living room, the air thick with tension. No one spoke. We were all waiting, hoping for news, anything that would give us a clue as to where Brooks had gone. The silence was deafening, stretching on for what felt like forever.
Then, soft breathing broke through the stillness.
I turned my head and saw Stella curled up beside me on the couch with her head on my lap, her body relaxed, her soft snores barely audible. The sight of her, so peaceful despite the chaos in my head, tugged at something deep inside me.
Carefully, I lifted her into my arms. She stirred slightly, nuzzling into my chest. “It’s going to be okay, Forest,” she murmured sleepily.
I swallowed hard. I wanted to believe her, but the words seemed hollow.
Carrying her up the stairs, I pushed ope
