20
Annie
We managed to get a bit of sleep curled up together on the hard, burned earth, shivering while sharing body heat. The storm had brought the cooler weather my dad had promised, and knowing we had a few days’ hike ahead of us, we rifled through the cabin’s remains in the morning, managing to salvage a few cans of food and Dad’s bone-handled knife.
Better than nothing.
While I faced northward, wanting to flee the burned rubble, Roan studied the path leading up into the hills—where fire hadn’t touched.
“What are you thinking?” I asked, my voice rasped from crying a lifetime worth of tears and the bit of smoke I’d inhaled trying to escape the fire.
“I’m thinking my pack is up there somewhere.”
I turned to gaze over the vast expanse, a hint of hope swelling in my chest. “How far
