287: A Distance Away

Camilla The crunch of leaves and twigs underfoot was both unsettling and grounding. I could hear distant noises, the murmur of the wind through the trees, and the occasional call of a night bird, which was oddly comforting. I kept moving, my footsteps slow and deliberate. Every crackling sound in the underbrush made me jump, but I forced myself to keep going. The trees seemed to stretch endlessly, and the darkness between them was almost as oppressive as the room I’d just left. Still, the cool night air and the rustling of the leaves felt refreshing compared to the stifling confinement I’d endured. The path I followed was overgrown, and I had to push through low branches and tangled vines. My clothes snagged, and my skin brushed against the rough foliage, but I barely noticed the scratches and the bruises forming. The only thing that mattered was putting distance between me and Shawn. As I walked, I tried to piece together a plan. I needed to find help, but I had no idea where I wa