It was a cool, quiet morning as Cinder walked through the trees around the camp. She took deep breaths, enjoying the crisp air that smelled of pine and earth. But suddenly, her nose picked up a strange, unfamiliar scent. It was sharp, almost spicy, mixed with something dark and bitter. The scent twisted her stomach and made her feel dizzy. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but the scent was too strong, clinging to her senses.
Then, her vision started to blur, and her knees felt weak. She stumbled, grabbing onto a tree to keep from falling. A strange fear crept into her heart, making her chest tighten. It was as if the scent held a hidden power, something meant to hurt or weaken her.
"Cinder! Are you okay?" Zara's voice came from nearby. She ran over and helped Cinder stand steady.
"I... I don't know," Cinder whispered, trying to shake off the strange feeling. "There's a scent. It's... it's making me feel weak."
