The fog was so thick, it clung to everything like a second skin. Each breath Beverly took was cold and wet, like she was breathing in ice. Her boots sank into the soggy earth, and every step felt like the forest was trying to swallow her whole.Reika led the way, her movements sharp and sure. She moved like she belonged in the woods, never hesitating, even when the shadows seemed to reach for her. Davion followed close behind, his bow ready in his hands, eyes scanning every twisted tree and creeping vine.Caleb walked beside Beverly, his face tight with focus. He kept glancing over at her like he wanted to make sure she was okay. She didn’t say anything, but she was glad for it. She wasn’t sure she was okay, but she didn’t want to admit it.Wilson trailed behind them, his hand pressed against the bandage on his arm. Every now and then, he let out a shaky laugh, like he was trying to convince himself this was all just some bad dream.“Why’s it so quiet?” he muttered at one point. His v

Irene’s legs burned from the sprint, but she couldn’t stop. The image of her mom sleeping peacefully — completely unaware of the danger lurking nearby — haunted her like a shadow. She could still feel the cold weight of that picture, the one that had been sent to her phone just moments ago. How had he gotten in? How had he known where her mom lived? The questions hammered at her head as she ran, every step a desperate beat of a heart racing against time.The streetlights flickered in the distance, casting long shadows that made every corner feel like it could hide something waiting to strike. She didn’t care. Nothing mattered except getting to her mom. The pounding in her chest threatened to crack her ribs, but she didn’t care.“Please be okay,” she whispered under her breath as she rounded another corner. Her phone was still clutched tightly in her hand, the image of her mom still burned into her mind. It wasn’t a coincidence. The message wasn’t just a warning. It was a threat.Her t

IreneIrene didn’t sleep.Not really.She just sat there in the dark, legs pulled up to her chest, hoodie zipped all the way up, phone balanced on her knee like a loaded weapon.Every time the wind rustled through the trees, she flinched.Every time a headlight passed, her pulse jumped.It wasn’t just fear — it was that constant, itchy feeling in her spine like she was being watched. Hunted.She glanced at her mom, asleep in the passenger seat, head tilted against the window. Peaceful. Too peaceful. Irene had checked the locks three times already, but it didn’t matter. Nothing felt safe anymore.Her phone buzzed again.Not a message. Just a glitch. Screen flickering for a second like it was struggling to breathe.“Nope,” she muttered, shoving it into her backpack. “Not dealing with ghost wifi at fucking 3 a.m.”Her thoughts spiraled again — back to Davion. To how he vanished after they got out of the forest. One second he was beside her, and the next he was just… gone. No trail. No wa