The camp was on edge, every sound in the forest amplified in the collective paranoia that gripped them. The morning sun struggled to pierce the heavy clouds, leaving the camp bathed in a dull, oppressive light. Ruby stood at the edge of the perimeter, her injured shoulder freshly bandaged, her stance rigid as she surveyed the forest. Her eyes darted from shadow to shadow, searching for threats that might already be there.
Behind her, Zoe approached cautiously, her boots crunching softly against the frost-laden ground. "We can't keep running like this," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. The quiet intensity of her tone cut through the stillness like a blade.
Ruby didn't turn to face her. "We won't," she replied, her voice flat and resolute. "But until we know what Marcus wants, we're at a disadvantage."
"What if it's not just Marcus?" Zoe asked, her brow furrowed. "What if the Shadow is behind this?"
