Why am I letting her boss me around like this?

"Fuck it."

The words rolled through my head like a mantra as I leaned against the wall of the cave, pulling my shirt back over my head. Layla's stubbornness was relentless, and honestly, I didn't have the energy to argue anymore.

She was glaring at me, arms crossed, her resolve practically tangible in the confined space. It was the first time I was seeing her like that.

"Where's the forest?" she asked, her voice clipped and demanding.

I sighed, already regretting every decision that had led to this moment. "It doesn't matter where it is."

"It does," she shot back, her voice rising. "If you don't tell me, I'll find it myself."

"Layla, it's not safe," I said firmly. "There's no guarantee—"

"No guarantee of what? That there are wild animals? You were just there!" Her eyes burned with frustration, her cheeks flushed with anger and determination. "I'm not helpless, Zaya."