As William left with Charles, Stella felt a mixture of worry and emotional turmoil. She knew William's intentions were good, but the thought of him being out there with just Charles and the unknown guy made her uneasy. Still, she tried to calm herself, thinking that he had always come back safe. Feeling a bit relieved, she eventually fell asleep.
Early in the morning, around 6:24 AM, Stella was abruptly awakened by strange noises. Heart pounding, she grabbed the shotgun from the room, staying calm as she moved towards the door. Opening it slowly, she saw nothing. As she scanned the area, she noticed Charles walking towards her.
"Stella! Stella!" Charles called out urgently.
Recognizing the voice as Charles's, she felt a brief sense of relief but also a wave of dread.
"What happened? Where is William?" Stella asked, her voice trembling.
