(February 28, 2025)

Music poured through the speakers as Berk sailed down the highway. Trees blurred on either side of the road, and the sun cut streaks of light over the crumbling asphalt. No other cars were in view, and Berk celebrated the solitude by belting out the lyrics to her favourite song as her foot leaned a little harder on the gas pedal.

She was on her way to her first vacation in six years, and she couldn’t get there fast enough. Three weeks of doing absolutely nothing. A stack of books, no deadlines, sleep.

A shadow moved on the side of the road, and Berk slammed on the brake, the tires squealing, as a figure covered in moss and branches stepped into view.

Was that… a person?!