The faint sound of forest birds still lingered in the air when Neil opened his eyes. The morning air was icy cold, dew clinging to the tips of the leaves. He turned to his right—the place where Lena had lain the night before. Empty.

Neil immediately sat up, his heartbeat quickening. He pushed aside his sleeping bag and unzipped the tent. The first thing he saw was Lena, sitting alone on a large rock by the edge of a small stream, the water sparkling under the morning sunlight.

With slow ...