Winter's POV
The room was suffocating, the walls closing in as the shadows of the evening deepened. Elena's words lingered in my mind like ghosts that would not be put to rest. Her departure felt like a stab in the heart, leaving an aching void in its wake. I couldn't stay any longer. I had to find Lily.
Moving to the small desk by the window, I grabbed a pen and a notepad. My mind raced as I scribbled a hurried note to Elena:
**Elena,**
**I'm sorry, but I can't sit here and do nothing. I’m sorry that I'm doing it this way, but I can't ask you to come with me because I know you and know that even though you don’t want to, you will come. I can't give up on Lily. I need to find her and understand what's really happening. Please take care of yourself, and I hope you're right about the bo
