Evening — Final Camp Before Return
They made their last stop at a high ridge station. It overlooked the river that marked the border into Redwood territory.
Sophia stood alone for a while, cloak rustling in the wind.
Remi joined her.
“Do you hate him?” she asked softly.
Sophia didn’t look over.
“I don’t know.”
Remi waited.
“I think I hate that I can’t stop caring,” she admitted.
Remi nodded once. “That’s not a weakness.”
“No. It’s just exhausting.”
They stood in silence.
Until Sophia said, “You don’t have to come with me into Redwood.”
“I know,” Remi replied.
“I’m not going to make this easy.”
Remi smiled faintly. “Wouldn’t respect you if you did.”
Sophia finally looked over.
And this time, her eyes didn’t hold walls.
They held recognition.
Trust.
Something Remi had ear
