I sat calmly in the very center of the clearing.
Emergency floodlights illuminated only me, leaving everything beyond the circle of light swallowed by darkness. It felt unnecessarily dramatic, but I wasn't about to complain. If you were going to make an entrance, you might as well commit to it.
Behind me, hidden in the shadows, Gawain stood with one hand resting on a very suspicious-looking thick rope.
Finally, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed through the forest.
"They're here," Gawain said quietly.
I didn't even look back. "My hearing works perfectly fine."
A brief silence followed before he sighed.
"Even now, you still haven't told me what your plan is."
I smiled. "Just trust me."
Gawain stared at me for a long moment.
"...Your smile has zero percent trustworthiness."
He tilted his head slightly.
"Not recommended."
Another pause.
"Zero stars."
I shot him a glare. "Your reviews are unnecessary."
"I'm just simply being honest."
