Juliette’s POV
The moment we stepped out of the cave, I felt the shift in the air. The night carried a strange stillness, like the forest itself was holding its breath. My heart pounded as I moved carefully over the uneven ground, the cold biting through my jacket. I told myself not to panic, but the memory of the symbols carved into the walls still clung to my mind. I could almost feel them pulsing beneath my skin. I kept glancing around, trying to convince myself we were alone, but deep down, I knew better.
I tightened my grip on the small flashlight I’d grabbed from the cave. Its beam wasn’t strong, but it was all I had. The trees around us loomed tall and unforgiving, their shadows merging into a darkness so thick it felt alive. I swallowed hard, forcing myself to breathe evenly. I w
