Laila
Small tree branches c***k under my boots as I step across the forest floor. The brisk air bites at my cheeks and throat as I breathe through my mouth. We've been walking uphill through the woods for over an hour. The incline is steep, and I'm starting to breathe heavily. I'm totally out of shape—I haven’t done a proper hike in at least five years.
The cold weather, combined with the dampness of the forest, seeps through my clothes and straight into my bones. James, on the other hand, is walking in just a light hoodie. I’m in a waterproof skiing jacket, but honestly, the only thing keeping me warm is the fast pace I'm maintaining to keep up with his long strides.
We’ve gone deep into the woods now. The canopy above has thickened, dimming the light and casting the forest in a shadow
