Nyx
The bus slowed to a steady crawl, tires grinding over rough, uneven ground, before finally coming to a complete stop. For a long moment, nobody moved. The engine kept humming beneath our seats, a low vibration that did little to ease the sudden heaviness in the air.
The laughter and easy banter that had filled the bus only minutes earlier had completely disappeared, swallowed by the reality waiting outside.
Theo, who had somehow managed to talk almost nonstop throughout the entire journey with his usual endless energy, sat unusually quiet now, staring straight ahead. Kaden rested his elbow against the window, his face set in a hard line as he stared outside without a word, jaw tight. Even Lyra's usual warm smile had faded into something more guarded and tense, her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her weapon.
We all knew exactly where we were. The knowledge sat heavy in my chest like a stone.
