"Where have you all been?" he inquired, his tone steady, yet there was an unmistakable edge to it that suggested his displeasure. The room fell silent, and all eyes remained fixed on the group, waiting for a response.
Raena paused for a brief moment, weighing her words with care to ensure she didn't betray any hint of anxiety. Really? She almost got cold feet as to how she felt like it really was her responsibility to speak up!
"We… got a bit turned around," she finally replied, allowing her voice to remain composed and steady in an effort to defuse the tension. "But we found our way back."
'Goodness me...' Her heart raced slightly as she delivered the response, aware of the scrutiny from both Stein and her fellow students.
