Calista
I looked around and tried to smell the air. Nothing seemed out of order. Lara was confused and scared beside me. I held her hand and assured her silently. I took a step forward, but Lara held me back.
“We should go back, Calista.” Her voice was trembling, I nodded my head. Lara's grip tightened around my hand, her fingers cold and clammy. The fear in her eyes was palpable, mirroring the unease that churned in my guts.
I glanced back at the group in the clearing, their synchronized movements still unnervingly precise. There was something deeply unnatural about it, but I couldn't place what it was. Why were they there, and why did it feel so... wrong?
"You're right," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "Let's go."
We turned and hurried back along the path, our footsteps quicke
