Author’s POV:
Chuck saw how much Vanessa was suffering. They had been on the move for weeks, tirelessly chasing leads that often led them in circles. Every day felt like a battle with their fading hope. They followed countless dead ends, only to come up empty-handed each time. The strain was becoming unbearable, and it was showing in every inch of Vanessa’s being. Her normally sharp senses were dulled by exhaustion, and the fire in her eyes was flickering, dangerously close to burning out. Chuck had never seen her like this before—so worn, so drained.
They hadn’t just lost track of Jenny; they were slowly losing themselves to this search.
Their nights were no better. Each night, they had to settle for wherever they could find a place to rest, whether it was the backseat of their car,
