MARIA'S POV
I shifted slightly from our current position, hoping for a brief relief from the exhaustion that weighed heavily upon me. Yet, as I moved, I quickly realized that my strength had not returned as I had hoped. My limbs felt heavy, my breaths labored, and the world seemed to spin around me.
Unable to continue, I came to a halt, leaning against the sturdy trunk of a nearby tree for support.
I looked around and saw that it was night already. I didn't understand how fast time moved, but we had gone a bit far from where we left the motorcycle.
As we trudged forward, Alex's hand clasped firmly around mine, I couldn't hide the strain any longer. My steps faltered, my body protesting with every movement, and Alex noticed immediately.
He saw the struggle on my face as I fought to tak
