Athena’s POV
The forest swallows sound. At least it swallows mine. My breathing is ragged, too loud in my head, but maybe the dark eats it up before it can go anywhere. Maybe the trees keep my secrets for a few more minutes.
I don’t know how long I’ve been running. Feels like forever. Long enough for my thighs to burn and my ribs to knot up like someone’s pulling them tight with a rope. Every step’s a gamble. Roots grab at my ankles. The ground dips and shifts without warning. Holes try to swallow my feet.
My breath tastes like metal.
The cramps started not long after I crawled out of the tunnel. Sharp. Low. Heavy in my belly. Every jolt feels like something’s shaking loose inside me—something small and helpless I’m supposed to keep safe. I keep one arm wrapped around my middle while I
