Chapter 16: The Thirteenth
Logs were scattered around the fire, forming an imperfect circle. Some were already seated, others stood, their posture both relaxed and alert. After a brief hesitation, I sat down as well, feeling the warmth of the blaze wrap around my body still marked by the stream's chill.
A heavy silence hung in the air, broken only by the crackling of the fire and the distant whisper of the forest.
Then, a clear and cheerful voice rose, cutting through the oppressive atmosphere.
— Hi, Anthony!
I looked up.
The woman who had treated me had stood up. She was smiling — a wide, sincere, almost childlike smile. Her eyes sparkled with innocent joy, as if all of this were just a game, as if the harshness of the world had never managed to touch her.
— I'm Cassandre! Nice to meet you!
She tilted her head to the side, hands clasped behind her back like a child eager to share a secret.
— Your group talked a lot about you!
I wasn't sure whether that was a good thing.
She didn't seem to notice my unease and continued with disarming enthusiasm: