You’re the reason she’s dead

The atmosphere shifted the moment we stepped outside. The weight of everything seemed to hang heavy in the air as if the city itself could sense the danger lurking beneath its surface.

The moonlight bathed the streets in an eerie glow, casting long shadows that made the darkness feel alive.

Lydia, Isabel, Zaya, and I moved quickly, keeping to the shadows as much as possible. The plan was simple: get close to where Sydney's parents were rumored to be hiding, gather intel, and strike when the opportunity arose. But nothing about this situation felt simple.

My mind was racing, and my stomach churned with a mixture of nerves and fear. Carmen was out there somewhere, and the thought of her in danger made my chest tighten painfully.

I knew we had to act, but it felt like we were walking into something much bigger than we could handle.