We walk, following a gravel path to the woods.
Ashina’s footsteps are light, barely making a sound on the gravel. My footsteps, on the other hand, are heavy, the gravel crunching under my feet. I keep my eyes open and alert as we walk nearer and nearer to the woods.
We step into the woods, which are eerily silent. Too silent. I feel like I can hear my heart beating and myself breathing, so I try to breathe as quietly as I can. Then a snap of a twig breaks the silence of the woods. My breath catches in my throat, and I grab Ashina’s forearm in alarm. My eyes dart around for a wild animal, but I see nothing. Ashina stops and stares at my hand on her arm.
I realize that I’m holding her arm, so I release my hold from her arm and step away from her, putting some distance between us. She look
