[2 hours Later—]
The forest swallowed the echoes of the horn. Mist drifted low along the ground, twisting between roots and stones like breath made visible. Shadows moved with every step, faint whispers hiding in the leaves.
Jasmine walked ahead, her arms folded tight across her chest, every movement screaming irritation. Punch trailed a few steps behind, the crunch of twigs under his boots...the only sound between them.
Jasmine's boots crunched softly against the dirt path, with her arms folded tight across her chest. The silence between them was sharp enough to cut through the heavy mist curling around the trees.
Then it happened— his foot slid on a patch of wet leaves, and he stumbled forward. Squish.
His boot landed squarely on Jasmine's.
A sharp inhale ripped through her. She froze mid-step, her jaw tightening. Slowly, her head turned, one eye twitching as she looked down at her muddied shoe— then up at him.
