Chapter 6: Hearing

“Listen,” I instruct Tilly as we stand just within the confines of the woods. “Can you tell where we are?”

“We are near the woods?” She responds. I look around and feel a sliver of defeat. Near the woods? Trees and wild woodland creatures engulf us. The best she can give me is a guess?

“Near or in the woods?” I push, needing her to really try.

“In the woods, I suppose. I mean, I can hear animals all around me,” she responds with a shrug. Tilly’s nose crinkles in thought and a smile finds my lips as I try to focus on the task at hand and fail. Her face is a map of tiny little imperfections. Each freckle, every wrinkle when she moves her lips seems to make me like her more, each one a reason I should take another risk for the first time in my life.

“So, what now? I just stand and listen to animals for the next eight hours?” She asks with a frustrated huff. I chuckle, stepping close to her and lean down, my nose brushing her earlobe.

“Now we train.” I whisper huskily before moving away,