The island's interior was quieter than the shore, the sound of waves fading to something distant and occasional as the trees thickened around them. Orange evening light came through the canopy in broken strips, moving slowly across the ground as the group pushed deeper through the treeline, looking for somewhere that made sense to stop before the darkness made the decision for them.
After several minutes, Gideon slowed near a clearing where the trees opened up enough to move freely. He looked around, taking it in properly. Open ground, decent cover on the sides, and further ahead, just visible through the last line of trees, the still surface of a small freshwater lake catching the last of the evening light.
"This?" he said.
Celia surveyed it and nodded. "Safe enough."
Lucas looked at the lake, the ground, the canopy overhead. "For tonight, at least."
