“Only if the forest has a good library.”
Despite her adventurous spirit, she had never been careless. She researched trails before visiting them, carried basic safety equipment, and usually told her father exactly where she intended to go.
That morning was no different.
She woke before sunrise, ate a small breakfast, and carefully arranged her equipment across the kitchen table.
A digital camera. A notebook. A plant identification guide. A compact first-aid kit. Several sample bags. A flashlight. Water. Snacks. A fully charged phone.
She checked everything twice.
Her father watched from the doorway.
“Are you going alone again?”
“It’s a familiar trail, Dad.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
She smiled and zipped her backpack.
“It’s only a short trip. I need a few samples for my university project.”
Mahmoud frowned.
“Mountains don’t care whether a trail is familiar.”
“I know. I’ll be careful.”
He moved closer and studied her face, searching for some reason to insist that she stay home.
