Chapter 6
AIDEN
I can see Dara is scared. Who wouldn't be?
She's trying to cover it, but I've known plenty of people who deal with fear the same way. Talk about everything but what's right in front of them.
Sometimes it's just easier. I don't correct her. Or try to make her focus on the truth of the situation. If chatting at me helps, she can do it all night long.
When she pauses to take a breath, I rise and walk over to where she's standing by the river shallows.
"Time to go." She looks up at me and nods. I hold out a wrap to cover her mouth and nose. "This will help limit the smoke you breathe in."
She looks unsure, so I take her hand and guide it to hold the fabric, then pull the ends around to the back of her head. She stands still as I move behind her, tying a secure knot in place.
"Follow me, Dara. Stay close." My throat hurts with every word, but that's nothing new.
Her wide eyes communicate her worry more than she ever could, so I try to offer her some kind of comfort.
"If you want, you can hold on here. Grip it tight.
" I tap the center of my belt, just below the small of my back.
Her eyes crinkle at the edges, telling me she's at least attempting a smile. "If you need to stop, pull back twice." She nods and I turn away, feeling a little shaken at how easily I'm pulled in by her gaze. Protecting her is the job I need to do. That's where my focus needs to be.
I take a step forward, hesitating only for a moment when I feel her fingers land on my back, then drift down to my belt, taking hold. Satisfaction settles in my chest, and I can breathe a little easier.
We walk in tandem, working our way along the bank, moving away from the fire. The incline is steady, and as we go up in elevation, the haze of smoke gets heavier, and I'm glad I covered her face. It's not a perfect solution, but it's better than nothing.
Dara doesn't talk now and I almost wish she would. But her grip on my belt reassures me she's still with me, and I set a pace I feel sure she can manage. She's already shown how tough she is. This hike is just the next step in the journey she needs to finish.
The crackling of the fire grows more distant, but it's still there.
I don't miss the way she jumps when what must be a large branch crashes to the ground somewhere behind us and I stop, reaching back and wrapping my hand around hers.
Her fingers twitch beneath mine and I squeeze gently.
A reminder she's not alone. Dara goes still, then she squeezes my hand back. We're good.
The terrain gets more challenging as we move up, leaving the fire behind. Dara never gives me the signal that she needs to stop, but I don't want her pushing too hard, so I find a sheltered area to take a break.
When I pass over the canteen of water, Dara's hands are shaking. I push down my mask, attempting some form of a smile. I know the scar pulls at one side when my lips move up. I hope it doesn't scare her more than the fire.
"Have a drink. We'll rest here for a bit, then press on." She nods, doing as I instruct. When she hands me the water, I take a sip myself, then put the cap back on. Kneeling down, I level my gaze with hers. "You're doing great."
"Do we have much further to go?" There's no complaint in the question. She asks it like it's one more piece of information she's collecting about the area. Nothing more.
I shake my head. "We'll be there soon." My throat aches more than usual, but I can sense that Dara needs to hear the words. "I'm impressed with how well you've done."
The honest praise has her chin lifting just a fraction, but it's an indicator that she's bouncing back from some of the weariness she must be feeling. She's been out in unfamiliar terrain, running for her life. That kind of fear drains you. Physically and emotionally.
When I offer her my hand again, she takes it, and I'm hit by how perfectly hers fits in mine. The heat from her palm soaks into me, and I wish for a second I didn't have to let go.
"Hold onto me again, if you want." Dara nods, her hand latching onto the back of my belt as I turn back to the trail. I tell myself I only notice it because I need to make sure she's safe, but the whole rest of the hike, it's a distraction I find hard to stop thinking about.