Chapter 81 - Celebrating with the Enemy

Ella and Jake were sitting on a worn-out wooden bench outside the camp, looking up at a brilliant night sky full with sparkling stars. The earthy aroma of the woodland and the distant sound of crickets chirping permeated the cold air. The peace of the night enveloped them like a cozy blanket, providing a much-needed break from the conflicts that had ruled their lives. Jake was comfortably laying his head on Ella's thighs as he relaxed on the bench. Her fingers moved slowly and soothingly over his dark hair as she ran them through it without thinking. With a satisfied sigh, he stared up at the stars, as though attempting to interpret the meaning concealed in their far-off radiance, as he enjoyed the pleasing feeling that came from Ella's tender fingers massaging his scalp. "Do you think they will visit us this evening?" Ella said as she broke the stillness with a gentle, almost tentative voice. The recent occurrences were weighing heavily on her thoughts, and she was unable to