The sun had barely risen when Lyra and Mina reached the edge of the forest, their bodies aching from the long night of running. They hadn't spoken much, only moving in silence, the weight of their escape hanging over them. The forest seemed endless, its thick trees and shadowy paths offering some comfort, but Lyra knew they couldn't keep running forever.
Mina, exhausted from the journey, stumbled, and Lyra quickly reached out to steady her. She adjusted her grip on her son, who was nestled in her arms, his small body warm and comforting against her chest. He had been fussy the entire night, his hunger and discomfort adding to the weight of their situation.
"Are you okay?" Lyra asked, her voice soft but laced with concern, glancing down at Mina as she tried to regain her balance.
"I'm fine," Mina whispered, her breath ragged. "I just... I'm tired. So tired."
