Morning is approaching with pale light filtering through the gaps in the leaves. The air is still cold and foggy, but the makeshift settlement has begun to stir. However, something was unusual. Bird calls and footsteps were faster, more frantic than usual.
Adora woke up with a short breath. Eric sat leaning against her, eyes closed but body tense, as if he hadn't really slept all night.
"Eric." Adora whispered, patting his arm. "What's wrong?"
A distant shout broke the morning silence.
"Daren! Where's Daren?"
"He's not in his hut!"
"There's a trail of blood there!"
Eric immediately got up. His face instantly turned wary.
They moved towards the center of the crowd. People had gathered, some with confused faces, others starting to panic. Layla and the two women who spoke with Adora l
