KEIR
Lukas' words echoed in my mind: "Their fate is much worse." I couldn’t even comprehend what could be worse than what I’d already seen. My thoughts became a storm of confusion and dread, swirling in a clash of instinct and reason. I wanted to ask him what could be worse, but my throat tightened.
A part of me screamed that I didn’t want to know, that I wasn’t ready for the answer. It reminded me that I was barely keeping it together as it was. But there was another, louder voice speaking through the fear, reminding me that I needed to know. It insisted that I was not forced to enter this door, that I could have turned around downstairs, but I didn't—because I needed to know.
I was caught up in that battle with myself when Lukas spoke again, pulling me out of the chaos in my head. Hi
