The delicate new leaves of the tree unfurled and reached towards the sky, searching for the warmth of the sun. Ember paused and watched, mesmerized. It was what her teacher had once called a false spring. Neighboring trees sported tiny white blossoms that blew off with a gust of wind. They floated down around her, coating the ground. They reminded her of the tiny snowflakes she saw in the winter and marveled at their beauty. She had woken up before James, and decided to take a walk. He was sleeping so peacefully, and she didn't have the heart to wake him.
She knew she needed to keep walking, but the day was surreal. She couldn’t quite remember where she was headed; she thought she was supposed to have training today and was confused to find herself outside wandering around. She contin
