I keep walking back to the old ruins. Not to look for blueberries or glowmoss trails, but because the wind there carries the sound of Vex’s voice. It’s not a sound I can pin down—more like a warmth in my chest that’s been growing since we talked by the river. I remember asking what Vex does when they have free time, and they said something about listening to the aurora hum. I wonder if that’s what they mean by ‘free time.’ My legs feel heavy today, like I’ve been walking in circles for hours, but the riverbank where we met is the only place where the world feels real. When I close my eyes, I see the glowmoss strands catching the light—like a net made of stars. I don’t know if I’m chasing them or if they’re chasing me. Maybe it’s the same thing.
Day 1: Gem’s Journal
