Chapter 2: Ashes and Arrows
The bush felt different now.
Heavier.
Like it had closed in around them since the explosion.
Jessie moved ahead carefully through the trees. Sarah followed close behind. Neither spoke much.
Only survival. They stopped near a shallow creek as light faded.
Sarah knelt by the water, washing ash and dirt from her hands. Jessie stayed standing, scanning the bush.
“You should rest,” he said.
“Rest doesn’t fix anything.”
Jessie didn’t argue.