𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐓𝐒 - 𝘚𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘋𝘪𝘢𝘻

7 | Steps Toward Light

-blood
-bullying
-emotional abuse
-nostalgia
-physical assault
-trauma

Chapter 7

The forest was growing darker, shadows stretching out as the sun sank lower behind the trees. The path was faint, just a few tree markings we were following blindly through the unknown.

But even in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by dense woods, there was a strange comfort in it all.

As long as we were together, the unfamiliar felt safe, like we could handle anything.

"Come on, Daniel," Sean urged, glancing back at the little boy trailing behind. "The sun's going down..."

After a few more steps, we finally spotted a bathroom cabin—weather-beaten, but a rare sight in the miles of wilderness behind us.

Sean sighed, looking over at Daniel, then at the cabin door.

"Okay, dude. Do you have to use the bathroom?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at Daniel.

"No!" Daniel shook his head immediately, nose scrunched.
"It smells real bad."

Sean gave him a pointed look, crossing his arms.
"No shit. Seriously, though—you better go now." He pointed at the cabin with his thumb.

Daniel just shook his head stubbornly. "I don't have to go! Jeez... Can't I just pee on a tree?" He lazily motioned around us at the wall of trees.

"As long as you don't mind poison ivy on your balls." Sean smirked, his arms crossed as he gave Daniel a teasing look.

Daniel's face twisted with a mix of worry and thought. "Uhhh..." he mumbled, glancing at the woods around us. "Well... maybe I'll go. But don't let me get stuck in there!"

"Don't worry. I'll call the forest plumbers if you fall in," Sean chuckled, shaking his head as he opened the door, ushering Daniel in.

From inside the cabin, Daniel's muffled voice called out, "Ewwwwww..." followed by a louder, "Yuck!"

I glanced up and caught Sean's gaze already on me, his smirk softened in the dimming light. A shared smile formed between us, holding a moment longer than it usually would.

"Think he'll survive in there?" I whispered, a grin tugging at my lips.

Sean chuckled, his eyes twinkling as the sun slipped lower, painting everything in amber. "He'll live. Might come out a bit traumatized, but..." He leaned in just slightly, as if letting me in on a secret.
"It builds character, right?"

I laughed, nudging his shoulder. "Poor kid. You didn't have to scare him with the poison ivy thing, you know."

He tensed slightly but kept his gaze on me, something softer behind his usual playful expression. He quickly covered it up with a casual shrug. "What can I say? I'm looking out for him."

The cabin door creaked open, and Daniel stormed out, pulling a face. "So gross! These are worse than the ones at school!"

"Especially after you use it." Sean chuckled, ruffling Daniel's hair, before the three of us set off down the path.

After a short while, Daniel spoke up again, "Sean, Zaira... look how big these trees are..." His voice was filled with awe as he stared up at the towering trunks.

I followed his gaze, taking in the tall trees with their branches stretching high above us. The forest felt so vast, almost like it was hiding secrets from us.