Charlotte’s POV
I took a shaky breath and started from the beginning.
“We were having a picnic,” I said. “In the field near the forest. Nora wanted to sketch insects, so I brought a blanket and some food and we spent the afternoon outside. I was reading a book, and I got so tired… It came out of nowhere. I could hardly keep my eyes open.” I furrowed my brow. “I told Nora I was going to rest for a few minutes and she said she’d stay close. I didn’t think I would fall asleep.”
“And yet you did,” Kieran murmured.
“Yes.” My throat tightened. “When I woke up, she was gone. I heard her calling for help from the forest and I ran after her. I followed her voice deeper and deeper into the trees, but every time I got close, she seemed further away.”
“Convenient.”
“It’s the tr
