Night fell slowly, but the sky never returned to normal. The sickly colors dimmed into darker shades, blending into a horizon that looked like bruised face or sick skin.
Strange auroras drifted faintly above the city, pulsing in irregular waves. The world felt heavier than before.
Inside the house, the companions remained seated in their positions.
Hours had already passed. Sweat soaked their clothes. Their breathing had grown uneven long ago, but none of them stopped.
Ether continued to move through their bodies in steady circulation. The process felt like dragging molten metal through fragile veins.
George's shoulders trembled. Ethan's jaw clenched so tight the muscle near his temple twitched. His eyes hurt again.
Clara's hands rested on her knees, but her fingers curled slightly as if resisting pain. Daniel's breathing turned sharp and shallow. Samantha's calm composure cracked as sweat rolled down her neck.
Myles was the most stable. He was just shaking slightly.
