Slowly, from behind the bushes, Aurel emerged. His face was pale and his eyes were glazed over, as if he couldn't believe what he had just witnessed. His hands were still trembling as he held the broken twig-the remnants of his grip from the fight earlier.
Sam looked up at him, still breathing heavily. Blood dripped from the corner of his lips, mixing with the rainwater. He tried to smile even though the wounds on his ribs and arms throbbed with burning pain. "You okay?"
Aurel just nodded slowly, unable to speak. His body was still shaking-not just from the cold, but because the images of the four men were still in his head. He kept moving forward, his legs feeling heavy on the muddy ground.
The rain poured down on them mercilessly, soaking their hair, clothes, wounds, and all the fear
