Elena and David sat at the mouth of the cave, the fire they’d built together crackling and casting warm light on their faces. Beyond them, the forest whispered its evening song, but Elena’s gaze was fixed on the dark expanse stretching deeper into the cave.

“You’re not going to be able to sit still, are you?” David asked, tossing another branch into the fire.

Elena smirked. “Probably not.”

David shook his head, leaning back and stretching out his legs. “Fine. Go ahead. But don’t expect me to come chasing after you when it gets creepy in there.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” she said, grabbing a sturdy branch and holding it in the flames until it ignited.

With the torch blazing in her hand, she stood and glanced back at David. “Keep the fire going. I’ll be back.”

David gave her a mock salute. “Good luck, Indiana Jones.”

The further Elena ventured into the cave, the quieter it became. The air grew cool and damp, and her torch cast jagged shadows against the walls. Her steps echoed faintly, each one taking her deeper into the unknown.

Then, it happened—a slick patch of rock beneath her foot sent her tumbling. Her torch flew from her hand, striking the ground with a hiss as it went out. Darkness enveloped her.

For a moment, panic surged. She felt the sting of her palms where they’d scraped against the rock, and her heart raced. She was alone, swallowed by the cave’s vast silence.

But as the initial wave of fear subsided, she began to breathe deeply, the rhythm steadying her thoughts. In the stillness, memories surfaced—of the fire she and David had built together, of warmth, safety, and love. She thought of moments in her life when she’d felt truly seen, truly valued.

With each memory, a quiet warmth began to grow inside her. It spread from her chest, radiating outward, until she noticed something remarkable: she was glowing. A soft, steady light emanated from within her, enough to illuminate the path ahead.

Smiling, Elena stood. The path seemed less treacherous now, and she made her way back, her inner light guiding each step.

When she emerged at the mouth of the cave, David looked up from the fire, his expression a mix of relief and curiosity.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I’m better than okay,” she said, sitting beside him.

David studied her for a moment, then nodded toward the cave. “So, what do you think I’d see if I went in there?”

Elena smiled knowingly. “That depends. You go however comfortable you are in the dark.”

David raised an eyebrow, the flickering firelight reflecting his quiet contemplation. “And if I fall?”

She met his gaze, her own glowing softly. “Then you’ll figure out how to light your way again. Just like I did.”

They sat together in silence for a while, the fire crackling between them. David didn’t move toward the cave. Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t. Elena didn’t push him. The journey, she knew, was one you could only take when you were ready.