Chapter 118: Deeper into Halendor Ruins
Evaline:
The hotel’s dining hall was already buzzing by the time sunlight started streaming through the grand windows.
Students and staff were all preparing for the second day of the trip. Today, we were going to venture deeper into the Halendor Ruins - past the outer circle and further into the third and second circles.
I focused my attention on tying both laces on my boots, not because I needed to, but because I had learned that small routines helped steady my nerves. My stomach was fluttery with a mix of excitement and nerves.
I was excited to learn more in the ruins, and nervous because I kept sneaking glances at Oscar despite knowing better. What made the latter worse was that he too was looking at me most of the time.
It was a miracle that no one had noticed us so far... except for Rowan and Kyros.
Ignoring those two, I did a double check on my backpack. It had my notebooks, pencil kit, sample collecting packets and small containers, water, and a light lunch.
Once I was assured that I was ready for the day, I settled down at the table and dived into food.
Mallory was sitting beside me as usual, but her cheerful side was nowhere to be seen today. She was still carrying the shadow of yesterday, and everyone at our table had noticed it. But no one had the time to ask questions as Professor Aldric was rushing us.
With the breakfast done, we all headed out of the hotel with our backpacks.
Our hike was scheduled for forty-five minutes. For the werewolves, this was more like a leisurely trot. But for me, every upward step stung. My muscles were shaking the closer we got to the next field site, and my chest was burning in that peculiar "wolfless" way - like my lungs just didn’t know they belonged in this terrain.