The forest awakened with dawn-the rustle of leaves, the chirping of birds-but even with the noise, the air was heavy with tension. We left before dawn, a gathering inside of us, and Avalor led the way, his strides long and purposeful. George hung back, always the opportunist, sneaking glances my way that he hoped Avalor didn't catch.
We marched deeper into the woods, my brain fast forward in thoughts of Lucius and what he had said. A dark presaging had been that which was impending doom, a storm cloud looming just out of sight, which I can feel with a darkness but might wait to unleash its fury. My instincts screamed that time was running out, yet somehow I felt unable to determine what lay ahead.
