The sun rose like usual.

  No wind. No warning.

  Just another morning in the jungle.

  But today felt different.

  Rell felt it the moment he woke — a pull in his gut. A distant itch behind the ribs. The kind of feeling he used to get back home, right before a party or a good meal.

  He sat up, staring at the branches.

  **[THOUGHTS]**

  Damn.

  Today my birthday.

  No candles.

  No cake.

  No Nia clownin’.

  No boys jokin’.

  Just dirt. And bugs. And… her.

  He glanced over at Selena.

  She was crouched by the river, concentrating — her hands flicking subtle sigils through the air, refining a thin weave of fire magic along her palm. Focused. Beautiful. Silent.

  Didn’t even glance his way.

  He let out a slow exhale.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  **[THOUGHTS]**

  Ain’t like she supposed to know.

  Still… damn.

  ---

  He stood up and wandered deeper into the trees, looking for berries or mushrooms. Anything edible.

  But his mind wasn’t on the search.

  It drifted.

  Back.

  To a cracked apartment window.

  To plastic balloons taped to a half-busted wall.

  To Nia — loud as ever — throwing confetti at his face.

  To friends laughing as he cut a cake with a dull plastic knife.

  To “Happy Birthday, you old head” echoing from every mouth in the room.

  He smiled.

  Then frowned.

  Then whispered without thinking:

  **[SPEAKS] (softly)**

  “…Born day.”

  ---

  Behind him, something shifted.

  Selena’s ear twitched.

  She turned slightly. Watched him from afar.

  She didn’t say anything.

  Not then.

  ---

  That night, the fire was quiet. Just crackles and shadows.

  Jarrell sat near the edge of the camp, staring off.

  Alone. Still lost in old memories.

  Selena approached without a word.

  She knelt beside him.

  Held something in her hand.

  A piece of flatbread. Half-burnt. Half-soft.

  In the center: a small flicker of fire magic, hovering like a candle.

  She offered it out.

  “Happy born day,” she said softly.

  He blinked.

  Didn’t speak.

  Didn’t move at first.

  The flame danced in her palm, steady and warm.

  Finally, he took it.

  Held it like it was made of gold.

  **[THOUGHTS]**

  No balloons.

  No friends.

  No cake.

  But damn if that didn’t feel like a whole gift.

  He smiled. Not big.

  But real.

  ---

  Later, lying back under the trees, he stared up at the stars.

  **[THOUGHTS]**

  Gotta stop livin’ in my head.

  Nia ain’t here.

  This ain’t home.

  But I’m still breathin’.

  Still fightin’.

  Still got somethin’.

  He glanced toward Selena — asleep, arm curled around her staff.

  He smiled again.

  **[THOUGHTS]**

  Happy born day, me.