CHAPTER TEN
The ground beneath us finally stills, a deafening silence swallowing the roars and trembles of the earthquake. I steady my breath, feeling Ryan's firm hand on my shoulder, its weight both comforting and confining. My heart races, not from fear, but from the proximity. We stand close, too close, at the edge of the plateau.
"Is everyone alright?" His voice is calm, an anchor in the chaos.
I nod, trying to ignore the flutter in my chest, the way his gaze lingers on me. How is it that I’m still drawn to both Ryan and Jake?
Beside us, Jake scans the ravine, his eyes squinting against the dust cloud settling below.
"Look there," he points, directing our attention to the newly exposed rock face where the earth has split open, revealing ancient etchings hidden beneath.
"Could it
