Chapter 73: The Answer

The forest was dark, the only light filtering through the thick canopy from a pale, distant moon. Sarah's breath came in short gasps as she clung to Max's hand, the chill of the night air seeping through her skin. They'd stopped running, but her heart was still racing, her mind spinning with questions and fear.

"What just happened?" she whispered, trying to catch her breath.

Max turned to her, his expression shadowed by something she couldn't read. "I don't know, Sarah," he murmured, his voice steady yet full of tension. "But whatever it is, it's connected to Alex."

At the sound of Alex's name, Sarah's chest tightened. Memories of him flooded back—the warmth of his hand, the way he'd look at her with that soft, unreadable expression. She hadn't been able to get him out of her mind, and now this…this mystery.

"Do you think…" Her voice faltered, then dropped to a whisper. "Do you think he's still out there? Watching us?"