The book was heavier than it looked, its pages worn and yellowed, but as Alex flipped through, each one seemed to pulse with an unnatural energy. The air in the chamber grew colder with every second, and the shadows circling them were almost within reach, their whispers deafening.
"Alex, are you sure about this?" Sarah's voice cracked, her panic barely concealed beneath the surface. "What if we're wrong? What if this book only makes things worse?"
Alex paused for a moment, locking eyes with Sarah. Their heart raced in sync with the deep tremors underfoot, but the fear in her eyes was what shattered them most. They weren't just fighting the shadows—they were fighting their own doubts.
"I'm not sure," Alex confessed, voice thick with emotion, "but it's the only thing we haven't tried. Whatever's in here—whatever your father was hiding—it's the last card we have to play."
