Stephanie’s POV
The forest stretched endlessly around us, its shadows deepening with every passing second.
Lucy and I moved cautiously, our breaths quiet but measured, as though even the trees might betray our location. The path ahead curved sharply, leading us to a small clearing surrounded by towering oaks. Without hesitation, I crouched behind a massive stone, its rough surface cool against my hands. Lucy darted to the opposite side, her figure disappearing into the dense foliage.
We waited in silence, the tension thick in the air. My heart pounded so loudly I was almost certain whoever was following us could hear it.
Just as Lucy had predicted, the sound of crunching leaves reached my ears, growing louder with every step. A figure emerged from the shadows, cloaked in a deep oxblo
