Chapter 12. Her Tree

There was this tree she used to call her own there, one of the tallest trees on this land. It was old, the limbs were dry and collapsing, but every spring, it grew leaves. She didn’t know how it continued to survive through the winters, but it always did, and Quinn would congratulate it every year.

Every time she felt down and weak, she’d go there just to look at that tree, because if it could survive, then she could too…

Quinn wrapped her arms around herself as she continued into the forest. Her steps were quick and loud, and yet the crickets that sang didn’t seem to be afraid of them. The limbs and leaves swayed along with the wind, making howling noises that Quinn was familiar with.

The night was dark, and though the moon was bright, the heavy trees blocked its light… but Quinn could see; clearly. She could see the healthy and low grass beneath her feet, the twigs she was stepping on, the wild bushes and the wildflowers that adorn them and she could see her tree