The wind is sharp this morning. Much colder than it should be for mid-season. It brushes against Ashira's fur like an icy warning. The trees around us blur as we run deeper into the forest. Kuro is leading us. His jaw clenched together tightly and his eyes are focused on the winding trail ahead. The animal form of what I imagine Emerson would look like, no doubt. The others follow close behind, tense radio silence between all of us. I feel restless watching everything while Ashira has control. I try not to let the uneasiness in my stomach take over, but something just feels off. Not wrong exactly. Just off. As if the very trees around us knew we would be coming. Like there is something waiting for us once we reach our destination.
“You okay?” Emerson asks through the mindlink, his voice l
