The journey to the cave felt like time had slowed. The weight of impending danger pressed against us with every step, demanding focus amidst the anxiety gnawing at my insides. As we navigated through the dense underbrush, I clutched the locket tightly in my hand, feeling its warmth. It was a tether, a beacon calling me toward Lila.
“Bea,” Marcus said softly as he walked beside me, “after what happened at the clearing, we need to approach this cave with caution. Shadows are not merely to be feared; they can manipulate.”
“I know,” I nodded, determination hardening my resolve. “But we can’t turn back. If Lila is trapped in there, I refuse to let doubt bind us.”
We reached the mouth of a large cave, its entrance dark and foreboding. The air was thick with an eerie stillness that settled on
