Chapter 4: Not Part Of Her Plan
"Don't worry, Miss. Your father will definitely catch up with us soon." Reya said in a hushed voice, glancing around nervously.
Lara hummed.
She wanted to share with Reya the possibility of her family not knowing about her predicament. However, the thought lingered heavily in her mind, and she hesitated, fearing that sharing what was in her mind might extinguish the flickering hope that Reya clung to so desperately.
Reya settled beside her and closed her eyes to rest.
The last hues of twilight already faded from the sky, and the sun completely disappeared in the west. The surrounding landscape was swallowed by darkness, and a symphony of crickets filled the night. Their rhythmic chirping weaved through the cool November air, making it difficult for Lara to fall asleep.
Her gaze was fixed on the sky above, where millions of stars glittered like distant fireflies. She recognized the constellations, which confirmed her belief that she was in the same world she had known in the twenty years of her life.
Lara felt a soft warmth nestled against her feet, an unexpected presence that startled her. Just as she was about to kick it away, the gentle flicker of the embers in the makeshift stove cast a warm glow, revealing the figure curled at her feet.
It was the little girl with whom Lara shared her porridge, the same girl who lay on her feet when she awoke in the carriage.
Lara wanted to move her feet, but after thinking about it, she let the little girl be.