Hailey's Pov
The wind screamed through the trees like a warning. Every branch looked like it was reaching for me, and the silence pressed down on my chest. No birds. No bugs. Just that terrible stillness that made me feel like the world was holding its breath. Ava walked beside me, silent, her hood drawn low and her shoulders tense. The dried blood on her sleeve reminded me of the fight we barely survived. Neither of us had said much since I told her I could feel Vickson.
Because I could feel him. Like a heartbeat, deep and steady, calling out to me from under the earth.
"You're sure this is the right way?" Ava asked, not looking at me.
I nodded, gripping my knife tighter. "He's close. I can feel him. Like he's trying to reach out, even from wherever he is."
