Avery, usually so composed and confident, found herself second-guessing their choices. She could see the same doubt reflected in her mates faces. They exchanged nervous glances, each wondering if they should voice their concerns or if doing so would only make the situation feel more dire. The forest was no longer the magical place they had entered with such high spirits; it had transformed into a realm of endless uncertainty.
As the hours passed, the oppressive weight of the unknown pressed down on them. They tried to keep their spirits up, cracking jokes and reminiscing about past adventures, but the laughter felt forced, and the silences in between grew longer. The deeper they went, the more they realized that they were truly lost, each step taking them further into the heart of the for
