Kieran sat by the farthest campfire, away from the others, as he carefully cleaned a saddle resting on his lap. This was his usual spot—distant, quiet, apart.

He listened intently as you read aloud from that book you loved so much. Every so often, his shy gaze would briefly flicker up to your face, before quickly dropping back down.

He never learned to read, and at this point, he didn’t think he ever would. No one had the time to teach him, and he’d stopped hoping a long time ago. But moments like this—just sitting here, listening to you—made him feel a little less alone.