I moved cautiously through the underbrush, my senses on high alert. The figure darted between the trees, their movements quick and frantic. I took a deep breath, readying myself for whatever lay ahead.
The shadows seemed to dance around me, and the rustling grew louder as I approached. The figure was small and agile, and as I got closer, I could see they were dressed in tattered clothing. They stumbled over a fallen branch, and I seized the opportunity to close the distance between us.
"Wait!" I called out, my voice firm but gentle. "I'm not here to hurt you!"
The figure froze for a moment, glancing back at me with wide, fearful eyes. I could see now that it was a young girl, her face smudged with dirt and her hair tangled. She looked so much like Leora, my heart skipped a beat. Could this be Adara?
"Please," I said, taking a cautious step forward. "I just want to help."
