These were not the same trees of the Bend, but she felt a lot more comfortable in their presence. Like she wasn't completely exposed to the rest of the world, and yet she could tip her head back and see the stars sparking. Protected but not trapped.
Despite the comfort they brought, there was also pain. How badly she wanted to be among her trees, and not all at the same time. More than anything she knew that's what was wearing on her. It was hard carrying around two emotions of opposing sides. Just like how she was relieved to be alone, and terribly lonely. She could not remember her mother warning her about such things. Maybe it was something she felt she'd spare her from. Or hope perhaps she'd be different and less unfeeling? Now wasn't the time to contemplate. It was time to find a good bed.

No matter how exhausted she felt she'd yet to find a place she felt entirely safe to close her eyes. Usually she'd just hunker down at the base of a tree trunk. Even better if it was on top of a hill. These woods seemed rather empty after all, but she wasn't one to ignore her instincts, and right now they pressed her to keep moving. If only they were a bit more direct as to where she ought to be headed. Everything was starting to look the same until she began to notice these strange, evergreen bushes. She felt like she should know their name, but could not quite recall it. It was something pretty and sweet, opposite of the plant itself. She froze, when she thought she heard something.