#Chapter 216 – Future Plans

The next morning, Victor and I make short work of packing up the tent. We send the boys off with a little H20 test kit to see if they can find fresh water, and they come back with a couple of bottles full. We quickly set the water to boil over the rekindled fire and then re-bottle it, slipping it into our backpacks for later use.

Then, ready for our day – and whatever new magical twists it brings – we head out along the trail.

It’s not really much of a trail, though, when I think about. We’re following what can best be described as a little game path, just a small winding clearing between plants in the woods, probably made by the routine travel of deer passing through.

What we’re really following, I suppose, is our instincts.

I sigh. More magic there, probably. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to it like Alvin and Ian clearly are.

It was difficult, getting up this morning. My body dragged against the dawn, screaming for more sleep. When I was able to pry my eyes open, I found Alvin peering down at me, his face worried.

“Are you okay, mama?” he had asked. I had reassured him, as cheerfully as I could, that I was fine – I just didn’t like sleeping on the forest floor. But in reality, my breath was coming shorter, and I could feel my heart beating fast in my chest, even though I was resting.

We are short on time, my body is telling me. It makes every moment feel tense and precious.

Our progress through the woods is slow, the boys flitting around us like butterflies. I swear they run three times the distance that Victor and I walk, dashing ahead and then back to us, and then looping behind to re-explore before coming to tell us all about it. I envy them their strength, but am also glad that at least some of us are feeling up to the strain of this hike.

What’s perhaps the most frustrating, though, is that I have no idea where we’re going. I know that we’re on some kind of sacred journey, but honestly? Most of the time it just feels like we’re wandering aimlessly in the woods, which grates on my nerves.

Victor stops at around noon, turning and offering me a drink from the lukewarm water bottle. I grimace as I sip at it. I’m thirsty, but damn it, what I’d give for a glass of icy water.

He glances forward to where the boys are climbing over a rotten old log.

“Well, at least they’re having fun.”

resting my head on his shoulder. “Does it feel ridiculous to you?

me, and I know that I’ve hit the nail on

noon. I glance around it, noting the heavy canopies above that let in only a small portion of

in here,” I murmur, frowning as

visited last night?” Victor

looking up at him. “Kind of. The boys were right – those

us then, Ian rubbing his left eye with the back of his palm, a few tears leaking

shouts, his voice tight and upset. “Alvin threw

his brother. “I just threw it up and it landed in your eye

say, looking confusedly between the two. They never fight. I then lean down to pry Ian’s hand away from his eye, inspecting the damage. No harm done, just

deal with that today. It’s

and then, shooting each other

Victor says, looking after them.

then nudge him with my elbow.

and

my mind turning to dark places. The forest around me glowers, and so does my mind. I think about what it would be like to die in here, the trauma it will cause our sons to wake up one morning and find us just dead in the tent. God, what would they

turn to the next question on

It’s very easy to make big sweeping romantic promises to each other in a time of crisis, and I have proven that I would willingly die for him. But…in the mundane certainty

Will I be enough? Or, will he grow bored of

it for

surprised, and stop in my tracks looking at him. Then he turns, shaking his head and glaring at me a

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