The small cabin in the clearing was deceptively serene, nestled among tall trees with the sound of a nearby stream trickling softly through the quiet night. It looked like something from a storybook, a hidden retreat far removed from the world and its troubles. But Giana couldn't shake the gnawing unease that had followed them here, lingering like a shadow that refused to be dispelled.
She stood by the cabin’s weathered window, looking out at the inky sky, her thoughts racing. Cassio had disappeared into the woods again, after checking the perimeter for what felt like the hundredth time. He'd insisted that they were safe, that their pursuers had been thrown off the trail, but something in his eyes told her otherwise.
The thrill of escaping had worn off quickly. The illusion of peace was
