***Austin***
Ella leads me in silence through the atrium, down the dim sports corridor, and into the pitch-black sports hall. Her heels echo against the polished floor as she heads straight for the fire exit, its sign casting a faint glow. I follow without question, though confusion stirs-why the greenhouse?
She pushes open the door and fumbles for a switch near the floor, and the greenhouse erupts with light.
Thousands of fairy lights flicker to life, weaving a golden glow throughout the once-barren space. I gasp—it’s more vibrant than I’ve ever seen, a stark contrast to the lifeless ruin Freya had shown me when she first told me about Ella.
It’s breathtaking.
She releases my hand and steps to the fountain, just a few feet away, as her heartbeat quickens. But it is not with excitemen
