The morning came with a somber air hanging over the campsite while the group packed up their belongings. The sun was soaring higher in the sky by the time they settled into the van. Soon, the hum of the engine roar into action, breaking the silence as they began their journey back to the city.
After a few minutes drive, they veered into the streets of Ashwick. It unfolded like a modern postcard, blending the urban elegance with the touches of nature- which made the city unique. Smooth asphalt roads that curves through a well-planned grid lined on either side by the sleek, contemporary storefronts with floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
Above them, the balconies were adorned with clusters of potted plants— bright geraniums, trailing ivy, and vibrant succulents spilling over in a deliberate yet effortlessly stylish arrangements.
However, Evelyn sat in silence, her gaze fixed on the passing scenery as the van left the rustic campsite behind and merged into the pulse of Ashwick's busy streets. The clean, minimalist architecture of the buildings complemented the carefully designed greenery.
Median strips dividing the roads were planted with rows of silver birch trees. And underlaid with golden marigolds that glowed under the sunlight. Even the streetlights had been thoughtfully modernized, sleek black poles with solar-powered LEDs that illuminated the city by night.
With a quick turn, the van passed through a roundabout with a striking steel sculpture at its center. A set of interlocking geometric shapes surrounded by lush flowerbeds of white hydrangeas and lavender that sent their soft fragrance wafting through the air. Pedestrians strolled along wide sidewalks, some pausing at contemporary benches set beside planters bursting with tall grasses and colorful petunias.
Normally, Evelyn was one who admired the city's vibrant yet tranquil charm. Taking a few pictures of places which stood out to her for her journal. But today, the beauty of Ashwick passed by in a haze.
Her thoughts were heavy, consumed by the events of the previous night. The transformation, Kael's cryptic revelations, and the weight of what she was beginning to understand about herself all overshadowed the cheerful hum of the streets.
Riley sat a few seats away, her eyes darting toward Evelyn every so often. The silence between them felt thick, and Riley's worry only deepened as she watched her friend's distant expression. Evelyn hadn't said much since they did packed up and left the campsite. Her usual chatter replaced by a heavy stillness.
The van slowed as it passed the central plaza, where an urban park blended seamlessly with the surrounding architecture. Slim pathways wove between patches of manicured grass and clusters of low, modern sculptures, while fountains sent up delicate sprays of water that glinted in the sunlight. Small groups of people lingered at outdoor cafés, their laughter and conversation muted through the van's closed windows.
It was Evelyn's favourite place in all of Ashwick. Riley glanced back at her friend whose eyes remained on the window, unseeing. Usually, Evelyn would have pointed out the aesthetic details of Ashwick's design — the strategically placed greenery, the polished symmetry of the streets— but now, she seemed miles away.
Riley wanted to ask if she was okay, to press her on what had happened last night. But something about her friend's demeanor made her hesitate. Evelyn's grip on her seatbelt seem tensed, her body unnervingly still as if the weight of something unseen was pressing down on her. Riley bit her lip and turned her gaze back to the road, deciding not to push. Not yet.
As the van turned onto one of Ashwick's main thoroughfares, the busy roads were framed by bike lanes separated by rows of neatly pruned bushes. Hanging planters overflowed with cascading greenery and bright pops of color, softening the city's clean, modern lines. Yet even the city's carefully crafted beauty couldn't reach Evelyn, whose mind remained trapped in the chaos of last night.
Riley sighed quietly, leaning back in her seat. Something was off, and she knew it wasn't just exhaustion. Evelyn wasn't the same person who had disappeared into the woods, and Riley couldn't shake the feeling that something — something big—was being left unsaid.
The van rolled through the heart of Ashwick. The hum of its engine steady as it neared the first bus stop. A few of their friends stirred from their seats, gathering their belongings and stretching as the vehicle slowed to a stop.
"Alright, guys, see you later," one of them called out, slinging a backpack over his shoulder as he stepped out onto the sidewalk.
"Yeah, take care!" another added, waving as they disappeared into the bustling city.
One by one, at every stop, their friends bid their goodbyes. Annnouncing their leave with lighthearted farewells before stepping off the van and merging into the busy streets.
Evelyn watched them absently, forcing a short smile whenever someone turned to wave at her. It was a practiced gesture, meant to ward off questions. To keep anyone from seeing the turmoil swirling inside her. But Riley wasn't fooled.
From her seat beside Evelyn, Riley saw it every time —the way her friend's smile barely touched her eyes, how it disappeared the moment attention shifted away from her. She wasn't just quiet. She was lost in thought, distant in a way Riley had never seen before.
Driving to a halt at another stop, two more friends hopped off, laughing as they exchanged a few last words before the doors slid shut behind them. Evelyn feigned another brief smile, but Riley caught the way her fingers clenched slightly on her lap.
The van rumbled back onto the road, its passengers now reduced to only a few. Riley hesitated, then turned slightly toward Evelyn.
"Are you okay?" she asked softly, her voice cutting through her friends thought.
Evelyn blinked and turned to her, a small giggle escaping her lips —light, but somehow off. "Why wouldn't I be?" she asked, as if the question itself was amusing.
Riley, however, wasn't convinced. She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly. "You've been quiet ever since last night."
"Have I?" Evelyn held her gaze for a moment, then glanced back toward the window. The city blurred past in streaks of color, but all she could see was the flickering memory of Kael's golden eyes, the weight of his words, the unsettling reality she was now forced to face.
She swallowed. "I'm just tired," she muttered over her shoulders- avoiding her friend's gaze so she doesn't catch on her lies.
Riley wasn't sure she believed that. But for now, she let it slide.
The van drove steadily through the streets, nearing Evelyn's neighborhood. The bustling city continued to pass by, people going about their day— but Evelyn barely registered any of it. The weight of last night still clung to her like a second skin, impossible to shake.
Riley, still watching her from the corner of her eye, remained quiet. Evelyn's answer hadn't satisfied her, but she knew pressing too hard might only push her friend further into silence.
Finally they pulled up in front of Evelyn's stop, a residential street lined with modern apartment buildings. The façade of her building stood tall against the sky, its sleek glass panels reflecting the golden afternoon light. A row of neatly trimmed hedges bordered the sidewalk, interspersed with decorative planters filled with purple salvias and white alyssum, their soft fragrance carried by the breeze.
With a soft exhale, Evelyn reached for her bag and pushed herself to her feet. "See you later," she murmured to Riley, giving her a brief, unreadable glance before stepping toward the van's doors.
But just as she was about to step out, Riley spoke again.
"Hey, Ev."
Evelyn paused, gripping the strap of her bag tighter. She turned slightly, her expression neutral, though Riley could see the tension in her posture.
"You know you can talk to me, right?" Riley said gently. "Whatever it is… you don't have to go through it alone."
For a moment, Evelyn just stood there, her fingers tightening around the strap. The words sat heavy in the air between them, but she didn't respond immediately. Instead, she forced another faint smile —practiced, distant.
"I know," she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper. Then, before Riley could say anything else, she turned and stepped out of the van, her figure retreating along the sidewalk towards her apartment gate.
Riley watched her go, her chest tightening. Something was wrong. She could feel it.
And she wasn't going to ignore it.