Layla's steps stopped behind a dense bush. Aurel was still hanging on her back, the thin body almost weightless, but the weight of her emotional burden seemed to crush Layla's chest.
From the gap in the bush, two guardian figures had returned to the front of the hut. One of them raised a weapon, who knew what it was, while the other looked uneasy, his eyes combing the surroundings warily.
"f**k, they came back too soon," Layla muttered softly, her eyes moving quickly to find an exit.
But all paths had been closed. The narrow path to the west side of the hut was impassable due to thorny plants and dense tree roots. The east side was too open, directly visible from the guard's position. The only path was back to the north, where they had entered earlier - but that would make the sound of
