Jefferson's POV
Javier and I trailed behind Donovan as he led us deeper into this mysterious underground world. The passage grew tighter with each step, and the soft light from the crystal formations along the walls began to fade.
The thundering sound of the waterfall gradually disappeared, replaced by an almost eerie silence that seemed to vibrate through the stone corridors. The peaceful atmosphere should have been calming, but instead, it made the knot in my chest tighten even more.
Javier stayed a few paces behind me, unusually quiet. His typical sarcastic comments were nowhere to be found, though I could sense his growing discomfort radiating off him in waves. Meanwhile, Donovan moved ahead with an unsettling sense of purpose, his steps measured and deliberate, as if he owned every inch of this hidden realm.
