The cold wind moved through the forest like a living thing, brushing past the trees and carrying the smell of wet soil, gun oil, and burned wood from the campfire that was slowly dying down. The orange flames crackled softly between the two, making their shadows stretch and twist across the ground like ghosts dancing in the dark.
Claudia faced away from Ezra's narrow stare, her black combat boots rubbing against the dirt in uneven movements while one hand stayed close to her chest as though she was trying to suppress the violent beating of her own heart.
"What made you ask a stupid question like that?!"
Her voice came out louder than she intended, sharp enough to make two nearby cadets on watch duty glance over before quickly pretending not to listen, since they didn't want to be the one receiving the scolding.
"Is it because you've been getting confessions from others, so now you think you're some hotshot?"
