Night had fallen, and the cave they had chosen as their shelter was eerily silent. The only sounds were the occasional crackling of the small fire they had built and the distant rustle of the forest outside. The tension in the air was palpable, hanging over the three of them like a storm cloud ready to burst.
Lucia lay on the ground, her back pressed against the cool stone of the cave wall. She stared up at the uneven ceiling, the flickering shadows cast by the fire dancing across the rocky surface. Despite the exhaustion that weighed heavily on her body, sleep was elusive. Her mind was a tangled mess of memories, emotions, and unanswered questions, all of which refused to let her rest.
She turned her head to the side and saw Luke sitting by the fire, his eyes fixed on the flames. His ex
