Anna stays away from the men

With her heart pounding like a drum in her chest, Anna peered through the darkness at the men around the fire. The flickering flames cast ominous shadows on their faces, making them appear menacing. Her father's warnings echoed in her mind, a litany of caution and fear. He had always said that in this new world, trust was a luxury they couldn't afford.

As one of the men stood and began to move in her direction, a spike of fear lanced through Anna. Her fingers tightened around the handle of her knife, a cold and reassuring presence against her palm. She watched, frozen, as the man stepped closer, seemingly oblivious to her hidden presence.

Her breath caught in her throat as the man stopped, just a few feet away, his back turned to her as he attended to his own needs. This close, she could hear the rough timbre of his voice as he muttered to himself, the sound gruff and unfamiliar.

At that moment, Anna's decision crystallized. The risk was too great. She couldn't afford to gamble her safety on the unknown intentions of strangers.

Silently, Anna backed away. Her every step was measured, careful not to make a sound that would reveal her presence.