Runaway in Hyrule Chapter Fourteen - Goodnight, Stars

Instructions

°❀⋆.ೃ࿔* Chapter 14 - Goodnight, Stars °❀⋆.ೃ࿔*:･ We sit there for a while, the night quiet except for the soft rustling of leaves. A part of the sky is covered by a big grey cloud, still lingering nearby. Some rain wouldn’t be so bad; the cool breeze carries a faint earthy scent from the forest. The tall trees sway gently, their branches brushing against each other, and the occasional snap of a twig underfoot echoes faintly in the distance. Kael and I chat, our voices soft, blending with the whisper of the forest. My hand slips off my leg and rests on the rock, almost touching his. Our hands inch closer, intertwining—finally holding each other. I smile up at the stars, letting the sparkling light calm me. For a little while longer, we sit in silence, watching the night sky and the distant glow of the camp below. Between the trees, I can see a faint golden light where the rest of the group is gathered. “Did you want to head back? I bet Jack brought out his ukulele by now,” Kael says quietly, breaking the stillness. “Sure,” I reply, standing at the same time he does. Our hands separate as he picks up his sword, the metal glinting faintly in the starlight. We walk back the way we came, the forest around us alive with soft nocturnal sounds—the chirp of crickets, the occasional rustle of a small animal, the sway of leaves in the cool night breeze. Shadows stretch long across the uneven path, and the smell of damp earth grows stronger as we near the camp. When we arrive, the group has gathered closer to the fire. A man strums a ukulele while two men and a woman sing a rhyme about a dangerous path a man went missing on, quit eerie, their voices rising and falling with the tune. The firelight dances across their faces, casting warm shadows. I settle down nearby, watching the flames dance with their voices. Slowly, my eyelids grow heavy. The singing, the fire, the gentle night—everything lulls me into a quiet comfort. My head feels lighter, and for the first time today, I feel completely at ease. They finish their last song. The gentle strumming fades, and a few people have already gone off to bed a while ago, leaving only half the group still lingering around the fire. The flames crackle softly, casting long, flickering shadows across the clearing. “Well, goodnight everyone,” I call out, stifling a yawn. “Goodnight, Celest!” a few voices reply, laughter still lingering in the air. “Sweet dreams,” Kael says with a small smile, giving me a quick wave. Others begin to stand, gathering their things and heading off toward their cots or tents. The soft rustle of blankets, the clink of a few small pouches, and whispered goodnights fill the air. I watch for a moment as a man carefully moves toward the fire, crouching to prepare it to be extinguished. Sparks float upward before settling back into the ashes, leaving the fire a dim, fading glow. I head over to my spot under the tree. I decide to stay in the clothes I’m already wearing—too tired to change, and the cool wind makes it a bit chilly. I settle onto my cot and slip into the thin sheet that rests over it. Lying there, I glance up at the stars one last time, their soft glow framed by the swaying branches above me. The night feels quiet, safe, and vast. I take a deep breath, letting the calm of the forest wash over me, and close my eyes, letting sleep take over.