Fated To The Wilds

The clock on the therapist’s desk ticked too loudly.

Tia tried not to glare at it, but the longer she sat there, the more it felt like it was laughing at her. Another wasted hour. Another session where nothing would change. She crossed her arms, leaning back against the stiff couch, and stared at the woman sitting across from her.

Dr Harper was the kind of person who looked like she had never known exhaustion. Sleek hair, expensive linen blouse, a gold bracelet that caught the light whenever she shifted her hands. Tia imagined her going home to a quiet, spotless apartment, curling up with a book and a cup of tea—no overdue bills, no sleepless nights, no sister who barely left the couch.

“So, Tia,” Dr Harper said, her voice calm and even. Like she was speaking to a skittish animal. “How are things at home?”

Fine. That was the word Tia wanted to say. It was easier. Simpler.

But the word got stuck somewhere in her throat, because fine wasn’t true, was it?

Her mother barely left her room anymore. Ellie hadn’t smiled, really smiled, in over a year. And Tia? She was holding it all together with sheer fucking willpower.

Still, she shrugged. “Same as always.”

Dr Harper’s eyes didn’t move from her face. “And your sister?”

Tia exhaled sharply, looking at the ceiling like she could find an escape route there. “She’s... getting by.”

That was a lie. Ellie was drowning, and Tia had been keeping her above water for so long she wasn’t sure either of them remembered how to swim.

Dr Harper didn’t push. She just tapped her pen against her notebook and, after a beat of silence, said, “And your father?”

Tia went very, very still.

Her father. The ghost that lingered in every corner of their house, in the quiet spaces between conversations.

“Still dead,” she said flatly. “Nothing new to report.”

The therapist tilted her head. “It’s been sixteen years.”

Like Tia didn’t fucking know that.

Six years since she had gotten the call, since she’d come home to find her mother in pieces, since she had felt something inside her splinter, something she had never quite been able to put back together.

Six years of holding the family together.

She swallowed, hating the burn in her throat. “What do you want me to say? That I miss him?”

Dr. Harper’s voice was softer this time. “Do you?”

A muscle in Tia’s jaw clenched.

Of course, she did. She missed him in the quiet moments, in the spaces between thoughts, in the way the house still felt wrong without him. But missing him didn’t change anything. It didn’t bring him back. It didn’t pay the bills or keep Ellie from falling apart.

Missing him only made the weight of everything else that much harder to carry.

“I don’t have time to miss people,” Tia muttered. “I have shit to do.”

“You’re allowed to have time for yourself,” Dr Harper said, as if sensing the exact thought. “Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you stop taking care of others. But it does mean you allow yourself the space to breathe. The space to heal.”

Tia’s hands tightened in her lap, and she looked up at Dr Harper, frustrated.

Dr Harper studied her for a long moment, and Tia hated the way it made her feel like she was being seen. Like she wasn’t just some unshakable force, but a girl barely holding herself together.

Then, quietly, the therapist said, “And who makes sure you don’t fall apart?”

Tia’s breath hitched.

No one. That was the truth.

No one held her up the way she held up everyone else. No one looked at her like she was the one who needed saving. And that was fine. That was how it had to be.

She forced a smirk, leaning back into the couch. “I’m tougher than I look.”

Dr Harper sighed but didn’t push. The clock ticked on, louder than ever.

The silence between them stretched, long and quiet. Then, softly, Dr Harper spoke again, her voice calm but unyielding.

“Maybe it’s time to let go, just a little. Time to step away. Even if only for a few days.”

Tia’s brow frowned. “Step away? From what?”

“From the weight of everything. I think you need a break, Tia. A real one. It might help you find some clarity.”

Tia wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. A break? She hadn’t had a break in years. But something about the idea stuck with her.

Dr Harper’s gaze softened. “And where would that place be, Tia? A place that gives you peace.”

Tia’s thoughts drifted. She thought of the forest, the place her dad always talked about with such fondness. The place where he had worked, digging into the earth, finding stories buried long before their time.

“I think it’s the forest,” she said softly. “My dad used to tell me stories about it. About the archaeology work he did out there. He loved it, said there was peace in the earth, in the quiet.”

There was a pause, and Dr Harper’s words filled the space between them. “It sounds like your connection to the forest is about more than just the land. It’s about your father. His memories. Maybe that’s something worth holding onto.”

Tia swallowed. She hadn’t realized how much she was holding onto until now. “Maybe you’re right. I need to find that peace again. Not just for him... but for me.”

Dr Harper smiled gently. “That sounds like a good step forward.”

***

As she walked out of the office, the world outside felt even colder, the grey sky pressing down on her. The wind sliced through Tia’s thin jacket as she walked down the crowded street.

The forest.

It was a place she hadn’t thought of in years. But now it seemed like the only thing that could give her the peace she needed. The place where her dad had spent hours, where he’d found calm in the earth and the old stories buried beneath it.

The weight of the last six years pressed on her chest, and for the first time in a long while, the idea of getting away didn’t feel like some distant dream.

But she had to convince Ellie first.

Tia shoved her hands into her pockets, pulling her coat tighter. The cold bit at her skin, but it couldn’t match the chill in her chest.

Ellie. Her sister was pulling further away with every day. Her recent breakup with Olivia had left her more distant, quieter than usual. Tia didn’t know the full story, Ellie hadn’t shared much, but she could tell that her sister was avoiding anything to do with Olivia, as if the whole thing was something she didn’t want to confront.

Tia wasn’t sure a camping trip in the middle of nowhere would fix anything. Ellie wasn’t the outdoorsy type. She’d probably rather hide in her room with a book than leave the house.

But maybe getting Ellie out of the house, away from their dad’s shadow, would help.

She turned down the street toward home, the familiar sights offering no comfort. The house loomed in front of her, still and silent. It had always been her refuge, until it became a reminder. The front door groaned as she pushed it open, the familiar scent of old books and incense filling the air.

Inside, the house was warm, though the furniture had seen better days. The sofa, once a rich, dark leather, now sagged with age, its surface worn and cracked. A patchwork of blankets covered its arms, an attempt to soften its faded, tired look. Her father’s belongings still filled the space, as though he might return any moment to finish what he’d left behind. Shelves lined with small carvings, old coins, and crumpled maps stood as quiet reminders of the life he’d lived, an archaeologist always on the edge of discovery, always with something unfinished.

She opened the door to the soft hum of the television. Ellie was curled up on the sofa in the same spot she always sat, the picture of stillness, like a doll left behind, caught in her own silence. The walls were covered with photographs, each frame a snapshot of moments long gone, frozen in time. Despite the familiarity of the space, it felt less like a home now and more like a place full of ghosts, memories scattered in the dust, reminders of a life that had once been whole.

Tia paused in the doorway, watching her. She could feel the weight of everything pressing down on her, an emptiness that wasn’t just the house, but Ellie too.

“Hey,” Tia said quietly, breaking the silence.

Ellie didn’t look up, but Tia didn’t expect her to.

“Hey,” Ellie mumbled, her voice distant.

Tia sighed and walked over, sitting beside her.

“I was thinking... we could go away for a few days. A quick camping trip. Change of scenery. Some fresh air.”

Ellie gave her a look, one eyebrow raised. “Camping? You know I don’t do nature.”

“I know,” Tia replied lightly. “Maybe that’s why it’s a good idea. We just need to get out of here. It could help. For both of us.”

Ellie let out a heavy sigh, as if the idea alone was too much. “And you think a few days in the middle of nowhere will magically fix everything?“.

Tia bit back the frustration rising in her chest. She understood Ellie’s resistance. She felt it too. But something in her needed to try.

“Just a few days,” Tia pressed, her voice softer. “We can leave everything behind. No responsibilities. No pressure.”

Ellie stayed silent for a long moment; her gaze fixed on the blank screen of the TV. Tia couldn’t tell if she was considering it or just weighing if it was worth the effort.

Finally, Ellie muttered, “Fine. A few days. But I’m not hiking. I’m just there for the food and sleep.”

Tia smiled despite herself. “Deal.”

Ellie curled back up in her blanket, and Tia felt a tiny spark of hope. Maybe this trip would work. Maybe it wouldn’t.

But for the first time in a long time, Tia let herself believe there was a chance for something better.

***

Tia met Rich outside her night shift, the cool air hitting her like a slap in the face. She’d never get used to the late-night chill, but it wasn’t as bad with him around. He was leaning against his car, arms crossed, waiting for her like he always did.

“Hey, you,” Tia said, rubbing her hands together for warmth. She smiled, though it was tired, there wasn’t enough energy for anything else tonight.

“Long shift?” Rich asked, pushing off the car to meet her halfway. His blue eyes searched hers, looking for the usual spark that had been missing for a while.

“Yeah.” She shrugged. “Same old. You know how it is.”

Rich didn’t push, just nodded, falling into step beside her as they walked toward the parking lot. The city was quieter at this hour, but even the stillness felt heavy. The world felt heavy lately.

“Ready for the weekend?” he asked, glancing sideways at her, that teasing smile playing at the edges of his lips.

Tia hesitated, her mind flicking to the camping trip. “I guess. I mean, it’s not my idea of fun, but... I think it’ll be good. Needed, you know?”

Rich paused for a moment, giving her a sincere look. “I know things have been rough, but I’m proud of you for taking this step.” They got into Rich’s car, and as they drove toward the house, the weight of the week seemed to lift just a little.

They pulled up to the house and inside, Ellie hadn’t moved. She was still curled up on the sofa, her eyes fixed on the TV screen, but she wasn’t really watching.

“You ready to pack?” Tia asked, her voice light, trying to break the stillness.

Ellie didn’t answer immediately. She didn’t even glance up. Tia waited, but Ellie’s response came after a long beat. “Yeah, sure,” she mumbled, almost absent.

***

The next morning, the sunlight filtered through the kitchen windows, casting a soft glow over the countertops. Tia was already up, her coffee in hand, and a sense of anticipation buzzing through her as she prepared for the trip. The house was quiet, except for the occasional clink of dishes as her mum moved around, making breakfast.

As the clock ticked closer to noon, the doorbell rang, breaking the calm. Tia set her coffee mug down and made her way to the door, her heart picking up speed. Tia set her coffee mug down and made her way to the door, her heart picking up speed. She opened it to find Leah and James standing there.

Leah’s bright blue eyes met hers with that familiar spark of excitement. “Is this the line for the trip to paradise?” she said with a grin.

Leah had been Tia’s best friend since they were kids. Even now, as adults, she had that same carefree attitude, always ready to jump into something fun and unexpected. Her long blonde hair was tied back in a simple ponytail, her jeans and jacket giving her a chill but practical look for a camping trip.

Behind her, James stood with his usual easy-going posture, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. His dark, spiky hair and tattoos gave him an alt, distinctive look. He’d been Leah’s boyfriend for two years now, and while Tia sometimes found him hard to read, she liked the balance he brought to their group. He gave Leah a teasing look before glancing at Tia. “Don’t mind her. She’s just trying to avoid packing.”

Tia laughed and rolled her eyes. “You two are going to have to sit on your stuff if you want to fit it all in the car,” she said, eyeing the bulging bags they carried. “What is this, a five-star resort?”

Leah stuck her tongue out playfully. “If it had bugs and no Wi-Fi, sure.”

Another knock at the door interrupted them. Jazmine stepped inside, a slight smirk on her face as she scanned the scene. Jaz had quickly become one of Tia’s closest friends after they met working late-night shifts at the bar. Her dark hair was tied up in a messy ponytail, and her leather jacket and combat boots looked well-worn from countless adventures. “We ready to go or are we staying here all day?” she asked with a raised eyebrow.

“Ready,” Tia said, a grin spreading across her face. With that, they all started to load up into the car. The buzz of excitement grew as Tia glanced around at her friends.

Before she climbed into the car, she paused for a moment at the threshold, glancing back at her mother, who stood with a warm smile, her eyes soft with that familiar love. Tia gave her a wink and a wave, a silent promise that she would be back before too long.