Chase rubbed the sleep from his eyes, struggling to shake off the remnants of a restless night. The tent felt small and stifling, its walls closing in on him as he took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. The tension from the previous day's battles still lingered in the air, a heavy reminder of their struggles against the monstrous creatures that had threatened their existence. He glanced at Belinda and Kellie, both seemingly unaware of his inner turmoil, their features softened in sleep.
"Chase!" The sharp voice of Skyla cut through the morning haze like a knife. He blinked at her, instantly alert, and noted the urgency etched on her face.
"Skyla, what's going on?" He sat up, brushing his tousled hair back as he fought to shake off the last vestiges of sleep.
"I need to talk to you," she said, her tone serious as she stepped into the tent, glancing over her shoulder as if to ensure they were alone. "It's about a mission—one that requires you."
