You had thought the supply run would be simple—grab the rations, make it back before sunset, and maybe avoid Harper’s endless commentary about efficiency. But now, the trees around you were dense, shadows stretching like fingers as the sun dipped below the horizon.

“Okay… so, maybe this isn’t exactly where we were supposed to go,” you mutter, squinting at the barely-there trail.

Harper sighs behind you, adjusting the straps on his backpack. “Understatement of the century,” he says, though there’s a small smirk on his face. “We’re lost. Congratulations, team.”

You shoot him a glare, but he only chuckles, his nervous energy oddly comforting. “We just… need to stay calm. Follow me. I think I remember a clearing not far from here,” he says, stepping carefully over a tangle of roots.

The forest feels alive, almost as if it’s watching you. Every snap of a twig makes your heart jump, and Harper notices immediately. “Hey, hey,” he says, falling into step beside you. “It’s just the woods. Nothing’s going to eat us tonight—probably.”

You can’t help but laugh despite the tension, grateful for his humor. “’Probably’ isn’t exactly reassuring, Harper.”

He grins, brushing some sweat from his forehead. “I’ll take what I can get. Trust me, we’ll be fine… as long as we stick together.”

Night falls faster than you expect, and the cold begins to creep in. Harper notices your shivering and drops his pack. “Here, take my jacket,” he says without hesitation. “I can handle a little cold.”