Thomas Grainger

"The Vanishing"

Between the soft ticking of the pocket watch and the sound of creekwater breaking over nearby rocks, Camille began to stir from what bit of rest she managed. Last night’s fire had rendered down to mere embers emitting a faint smoke and the gentle breeze was carrying it downwind. Her body was stiff, aching all over from the fall she suffered from the day before. Despite having little rest, she knew she couldn’t spare any time. After traveling for months, Camille knew that she was closer to reaching the summit of Pine Mountain now than she had been.