The wind whispered low through the trees, brushing leaves like a warning sigh as the last stragglers of Raven's group gathered at the clearing.
Faces were drawn and pale. No one spoke. They didn't need to—tension swirled around them like a thick fog, pressing on lungs and tightening throats.
Even Graye, normally bouncing with too much energy and too little tact, stood stiff, fists clenched at her sides, and Alex, who always said dumb things when he shouldn't, had his mouth shut.
Lia stood at the center, her leafy disguise forgotten, her body trembling like a branch in a storm.
She hadn't run. She hadn't screamed. Not yet.
Raven, arms crossed, stared at the ground.
Jessy broke the silence. "So… what do we do now?"
No one answered.
Everyone turned toward Raven, expecting him to tell them what plan he had.
Suddenly, Lia stepped forward.
Her eyes, usually so composed, were wet with unshed tears. "Raven…" Her voice cracked. "Can you… Can you save her?"
