Chasing Tomorrow

Chapter 6

Cady's pov

The morning light filters softly through the treehouse's small window, casting a gentle glow over the room. I stretch, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin as I slowly sit up. The air is cool but fresh, the sounds of the forest just waking up around us. The fire from last night has dwindled to a few glowing embers, the scent of smoke still lingering in the air. I glance over at Cassandra, still sleeping soundly on the bed of pelts. She's curled up tightly, a soft frown on her face, like she's dreaming of something distant. It's hard not to feel for her, seeing how worn and weary she is. She's been through a lot, I can tell. And though she hasn't said much, there's a heaviness about her. A quiet, guarded way of being that I can relate to more than I'd like to admit. I quietly rise from the bed and go to the small corner where I've been keeping some bread, a few preserved fruits, and a little stash of herbs I've gathered. I'm grateful for the food I've managed to scrounge together. It's not much, but it's enough to get us through another day. I take out the bread, its edges slightly crisp from being left out overnight, and cut a few slices. The warmth of the morning sunlight is inviting, and I find myself smiling. It feels like the start of a good day.

I pull a chair up to the table, my heart lifting as I begin to set it all up. The food isn't fancy, but it's something I've managed to put together with what I have. The bread's a bit dry, but there's fruit, and I'll make sure we have enough to get through the morning. A few minutes later, Cassandra stirs. Her eyes open slowly, and I watch as she blinks a few times, adjusting to the light. I can see the exhaustion still in her, but also a quiet curiosity as she looks around. When her gaze lands on me, I offer her a warm smile, one I hope is contagious. "Good morning," I say, my voice light and cheerful. "I made us some breakfast. It's nothing fancy, but I figured we could start the day off right." I motion to the table, where the bread and fruit sit waiting. Cassandra sits up slowly, stretching, her movements cautious but natural. She gives a small nod, her expression unreadable for a moment. But then, she looks at me, and I catch a glimmer of something in her eyes—a flicker of trust, perhaps? Or maybe just a willingness to accept this moment of peace, even if just for a little while. I'm not sure if she's fully ready to open up yet, but I'm hoping today will be different. Maybe we can talk more, share stories, get to know each other better. I've never had someone around like this before, and though I'm used to being on my own, it feels good to have company, especially after everything I've been through.

I take a deep breath and offer her a hopeful smile. "You know," I say, pushing a slice of bread toward her, "you can stay a little longer if you want. I don't mind the company. It's been... nice, having someone around." I pause for a moment, watching her closely. "I think we could help each other out. And... I wouldn't mind getting to know you better, Cassandra." The silence between us stretches for a moment, but then she nods. She doesn't say much, but the way she looks at me tells me all I need to know. She's willing to give this a shot, and for some reason, that makes me smile even more. "I'd like that," she finally says, her voice quiet but sincere. I grin, my heart lifting a little more at her words. It's small, but it's a start. Maybe we can become friends, or at least allies in this harsh world. And for now, that's enough.

After breakfast, we both fall into an easy rhythm. Cassandra is still quiet, but I can sense that she's starting to open up, even if just a little. I'm grateful for the help, though I can tell she's not used to working like this. It's not much, but it feels nice, sharing these small tasks with someone. It's different from doing everything alone. I stand up and stretch, feeling the warmth of the sun creeping into the treehouse as I turn to Cassandra. "Alright, I've got a few things we should do. First, we need to freshen up the bed a bit. The moose pelts are starting to lose their softness. We can get some fresh ones from the forest, and I can show you how to do it." She nods and follows me as I climb down the ladder, my boots hitting the ground with a soft thud. I can hear the wind rustling through the trees and the birds calling from somewhere far off. I breathe in the fresh air, enjoying the moment before we dive into the tasks. "The pelts won't be too hard to find," I explain as we walk through the forest. "We just need to look for animals that have shed their fur or find any leftover pelts. The forest has its ways of giving back if you know where to look." I lead her a little deeper into the woods, scanning the ground for signs. After a few minutes of walking, I spot a patch of moose fur caught in a thicket. I crouch down and pull it out, showing Cassandra how to carefully handle the fur without tearing it. "This will work," I say as I gather a few more patches of fur. "We'll use these to make the bed softer. I used to have more, but over time they've gotten worn. But it's good enough for now." Cassandra seems focused, careful with her movements as she follows my lead. The way she handles the fur is slow but precise. She's learning, and I can see she's adapting. I can't help but smile at her effort. Once we've gathered enough, we head back to the treehouse. By the time we get there, the sun is high in the sky, and it's getting warmer. We unload the pelts and start to spread them out, layering them on top of the bed. The soft, new moose fur makes it feel even more comfortable, and I can see Cassandra testing it out, giving me a small approving nod. "It's nice," she says, a slight smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "Much better than before." I chuckle, brushing my hands off. "Glad you approve."