As the night wore on, I found myself tossing and turning in the darkness, restlessly fidgeting under the weight of the silence. Inside my mind, Ember stirred with growing agitation, a fierce presence clawing at the confines of my thoughts. I finally jolted awake, my body still positioned toward the mouth of the cave, the cool stone pressing against my back. I could feel Jack’s gaze piercing into me from behind, an intensity that made my skin prickle.
Ember’s frustration coursed through me, like a wild animal desperate to break free. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt—time had slipped away, and I sensed it must be well past midnight.
“Are you going to turn around and look at me?” Jack’s voice cut through the heavy silence, laced with a hint of curiosity.
“I’d really rather
