The sky was overcast, thick with dark clouds, signaling that heavy rain was imminent.
A cold wind swept across the lake, carrying fine rain that stung like needles against the skin.
The lake, shrouded in rain, appeared unusually hazy and profound.
Clarice lay on the shore, shivering as she woke up in the cold.
A throbbing headache hit her as she raised her hand to her forehead, finding a large bump swelling there.
The ground beneath her felt soft, and when she turned her head to look, she nearly jumped in fright—it was Ivan she had been lying on.
He had his eyes closed, his face pale, and he was unconscious.
Clarice quickly got up and shook his shoulder. “Mr. Morris? Mr. Morris? Ivan?”
There was no response.
Clarice surveyed their surroundings. They were deep in a forest, far from
