The air in the cabin was still, a kind of quiet that wasn’t peaceful—just thick. Carolina sat curled up on the edge of her bed, hugging a pillow tightly to her chest, her legs tucked underneath her like she was trying to disappear inside herself.
Katherine sat at the little desk by the window, half-pretending to write in her journal, but mostly just glancing up every few seconds to check on her friend.
Then—
A knock.
Carolina flinched.
Katherine turned, eyes narrowing as she stood. “I’ll get it.”
She crossed to the door and opened it halfway, blocking most of the doorway with her body.
It was Kingsley.
He stood there, hair tousled from the wind, his eyes unusually soft—tired in a way Katherine hadn’t seen since before the kiss.
Katherine’s shoulders tensed. “Um… what are you doing
