LOCATION: Random Trail WHO: @thexcarrollxtimes
The trailhead stretched out in front of them, quiet and sunlit in that early kind of way that made everything feel sharper. “You pick some brutal spots for a warm-up,” he said lightly, though there was no real complaint in it. His mouth tilted into a small grin as he glanced up at his friend. “Either you’ve got a lot of faith in me…or you’re trying to humble me in the nicest way possible.”
He took a few steps forward, then stopped again, gaze dropping briefly to the path before him. There was a flicker of something quieter behind his expression now. “I’m not gonna lie to you, Oscar,” he admitted, voice lower. “Some days I feel like I’ve got this figured out, and other days I feel like I’m starting from scratch again.” He exhaled, then looked back up at him with a steadier focus. “But I’m here. I said I wanted to get back to hiking…and I meant it. Just don’t go easy on me because I look like I might complain about it.” A faint smirk returned. “I’ll probably complain anyway.”