A single ray of sunlight pierced through the narrow cave entrance.
Morning.
The fire had burned down to embers. The air was still, almost too still.
No one moved at first. No one spoke.
Felix was curled up in the same position, arms wrapped around his knees. Julien sat with his back to the wall, fingers still tensed over his weapon. Mira's nails were dug into her palm, her breathing controlled, but her shoulders were stiff.
Leo, who had been shaking the night before, slowly opened his eyes. He looked at the entrance. Then at us. Then back at the entrance.
His voice was hoarse. "…It's gone?"
No one answered.
Cautiously, I stood up.
There were no scratches on the cave walls.
No footprints.
No blood. No trace.
It was like nothing had ever been there.
The fire hadn't been disturbed. The rocks near the entrance were untouched.
But I knew better. We all did.
Mira stood next, stretching stiff limbs. She stared at the entrance, then exhaled sharply. "What the hell was that?"
