Pāhonoa te oro

Jessie ran a hand through his hair and let out a breath. “If we go back, we’re not helping anyone. We’ll just get ourselves killed.” The words stung, but deep down, she knew he was right. “So what do we do?” she whispered. Jessie glanced around the forest. “We survive.” They moved by midday. Every step felt uncertain, like the world had shifted and they didn’t know the rules anymore. Jessie led the way, careful and quiet, listening for anything out of place.