The first light of dawn filtered through the trees as Luke led the group forward, the silence hanging heavy between them. Their steps were slow but deliberate, a cautious yet unspoken agreement among them that there would be no turning back. They had reached a new level of resolve—one shaped by the darkness they had just encountered and the bond that had solidified in its wake.
Jake walked closely beside Luke, his eyes scanning the forest with a hunter's instinct, ever vigilant for any sign of danger. Ava and the others followed closely, each of them nursing bruises and scratches from the encounter, yet none willing to show weakness. Their ordeal had drawn them closer, and even in the depths of their fatigue, a spark of determination ignited in each of their hearts. The creatures of the forest were more than shadows now; they were obstacles they were prepared to face head-on.
