Mark’s men are finally leaving.
They’ve searched every room, every inch of the surrounding forest. Cleared traps. Checked windows. Cleansed the space of blood—Jena’s blood. They took her body away on a stretcher, covered in white linen. Something about that simple sheet makes the ache in my chest worse. Like she’s just… a body now. Gone.
I stand in the doorway as they say their goodbyes. One of them places a hand on my shoulder gently, respectfully, but I barely hear what he says. My ears are ringing.
Caden thanks them quietly. Ryan nods stiffly, arms crossed, his eyes red but dry. He hasn’t said much since Jena was found. None of us have.
As the last of Mark’s men disappear into the trees, I finally let myself exhale.
Then I hear it—soft paws on hardwood, a faint scrape like nails dr
