The dim light of the room flickered as Samuel gently shook me awake. My body protested, every muscle sore and aching. I blinked, trying to shake off the lingering haze of sleep.
“Kimberly, it’s time,” Samuel said, his voice soft but firm.
I squinted up at him, disoriented. “Time for what?” My voice was groggy, my throat dry.
He crouched beside me, his hand briefly brushing against mine in reassurance. “We’re ready to move. Jade and I managed to convince Belle and Elenora that going back for Fred is the right thing to do.”
Relief surged through me like a wave, momentarily washing away the exhaustion. “Really? You did?”
Samuel nodded, his expression calm but excited. “We couldn’t just leave him behind. None of us could, Elenora and Belle were only trying to put logic first before emotio
