Chapter 10

He yawned, moaning as he stretched his arms, jarring himself awake. The wind blew in, sending darts of cold through him, and he shivered, hugging the threadbare cloth he had used as a blanket closer to him.

The sun twinkled softly, its warmth teasing him as if it knew how cold he was and couldn’t help but taunt him. He plopped down from the makeshift bed Maia had made for him before going back to the camp. Walking to the river, his mind raced, fidgeting about his plans for the day.

“It will all work out, Jared,” he muttered to himself, even though he didn’t believe a word of it as he bent down to splash water on his face.

He shivered as the cold water made contact with his skin. He breathed in and wiped his face with his palms. Scooping some water in his hands, he bent his head and gurgled, sighing in pleasure as it trickled down his throat, the coolness relieving his parched throat.

He washed his arms and legs and scrubbed his hai