The forest around us was eerily still, as if it, too, was holding its breath in the aftermath of what had just happened. I could still feel the tension in the air, the remnants of Emily's dark energy lingering like a bitter taste. But now that James was by my side again, alive and standing, I felt the weight lift off my chest.
My heart was pounding as I looked up at him. His face was set, focused, but there was a softness in his eyes when he looked at me. I couldn't shake the memory of just a few moments earlier—how I thought I'd lost him to the curse forever. The dark energy that had taken over him had felt so absolute, so final. But now, seeing him standing here, solid and real, it felt like a miracle.
"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. The question felt insufficient. Of course he wasn't okay—how could anyone be after what he'd just been through?
