Each raindrop seemed like a gentle drumming in the stillness as it tapped against the tin roof of the lookout cabin. Quickly approaching from the west, the storm engulfed the mountains in a veil of gray, as if swallowing the world outside their cozy little enclave. A distant flash of lightning and a deep rumble of thunder rattled the aged timbers of the cottage. The cabin's rough-hewn walls were illuminated by flickers of gold as the warmth radiated from the fireplace inside. However, there was an uncomfortable silence between Lila and Regan.
The tablet was on top of a worn-out stack of books on the weathered wooden table; the screen was damaged from their quick getaway, but it was still usable. After three days of waiting, Melissa finally called them using an encrypted relay that bounced
