A chorus of birdsong woke Sienna as the sky turned from inky blue to pastel shades, the stars fading as light returned to the forest. She had slept all night and missed her turn at the watch. For a moment, she was grateful for it. Her body had regained its strength, and the creatures of the cavern were only a memory now they were out in the fresh air. But someone else must have taken her turn.
She sat up, noting that Mila and Perry were only just waking up beside her.
“Zoe,” Sienna called up to the top of the rock. “Are you there?”
No answer. Just the call of birds warbling and whistling above.
Sienna rolled to her feet, unease rising within as she walked around the boulder and then clambered up onto it. Zoe was nowhere to be seen, her pack left discarded on the top of the rock.
Mila
