As the sun rose over the horizon, signaling the start of day two of the students' practical exams, the cave was still cloaked in the quiet stillness of early morning. Edith stirred awake first, her eyes blinking as they adjusted to the dim light filtering in. She sat up, stretching her arms, but her gaze quickly fell on the empty bed next to hers—the one meant for Liam.
"Did he not come back to sleep at all?" she murmured to herself, her brow furrowing.
Not wanting to disturb the others, Edith quietly got to her feet, her bare toes brushing against the cool earthen floor. She made her way to the entrance. Outside, the forest was alive with the gentle rustle of leaves and the melodic chirping of birds. Edith inhaled deeply, the crisp morning air filling her lungs.
Shielding her eyes from the sun's golden rays, she called out, "Liam! Where are you? Liam!" Her voice echoed faintly through the trees as she began walking toward the riverbank.
