As I inhale deeply, the crisp mountain air fills my lungs, carrying the invigorating scent of pines. The warmth of the sun dances across my skin, tickling like playful sparks. I'm back in Canada, caught in the splendor of summer.
Lake Moraine in Banff is a scene straight out of a dream — its surreal turquoise waters shimmer like enchanted glass, mirroring the sky and towering peaks above. The Rocky Mountains loom far beyond, jagged and majestic, their rugged bases cloaked in dense forests of evergreens.
Beside me, a nine-year-old girl with golden hair tucked beneath an adorable straw hat hums a catchy anime song that she's been obsessed with for the past twenty days.
"Jack…" Anna's small hand suddenly clasps my finger, her grip trembling slightly. The innocent touch stirs a wave of complex emotions in me — nostalgia, warmth, and a faint ache.
"Do you think there are bears here?" she asks, her voice quivering despite her effort to sound casual.
