Stuck in an Island with Twelve Beautiful Women

Jude ran his fingers across it, feeling the grooves.

Sophie stood beside him, clutching his arm. "Do you think this is connected to them?"

"I don’t know," he murmured. "But it’s ancient."

She bent closer to examine the carvings. "These markings... they’re like the ones on the monster we saw. On its skin."

Jude nodded slowly. "We need to tell someone. But not everyone. Just... the ones who aren’t affected."

"Who do you trust now?" Sophie asked.

He sighed. "You. Stella, I think. Natalie. Maybe Grace."

As they turned to leave, Sophie froze. Her grip on Jude’s hand tightened painfully.

"What is it?"

"Don’t move," she whispered.

Across the grove, standing perfectly still at the edge of the trees, was the figure.