C150 World that seems alive

As they stood in the middle of the road he whispered “Close your eyes,” he instructed softly, leaning closer as his breath brushed against her ear. “And breathe. Deeply, through your nose.”

Marina did as she was told, drawing in a long breath. The cold night air filled her lungs, carrying with it the scent of damp earth, frost-tipped leaves, and the faint hint of wood smoke from a distant fire