The silence between us felt thick and weighted as everyone absorbed the tension and revelations of the last few moments. My heart pounded as I tried to process everything: the arguments, Samuel’s confession, and Noelle’s harsh words.
I felt torn between my loyalty to Noelle and the quiet, growing ache Samuel’s words had stirred within me.
A sudden, soft cough from Jade broke the silence, and we all looked toward him. “It’s time we left this place,” he said, his gaze sweeping over the group. Without another word, he extended his hands, creating a swirling, iridescent portal that shimmered in the dim light of the cemetery.
We all glanced at each other, instinctively readying ourselves to leave. But then I noticed Noelle wasn’t there. She had wandered off earlier, and her absence settled u
