Chapter 1093
Neither of them spoke at first. The silence wasn’t peace, it was waiting. Watching. Listening for footsteps that no longer sounded right.
Emma was already awake, standing just beyond the hut, motionless, staring into the woods. She held the sharpened stick like it was an extension of her arm, like it had grown from her hand overnight. Jude stepped out quietly and joined her, glancing toward the spot where Rose had disappeared with Natalie.
"She didn’t scream," Emma said without turning her head.
"I know."
"I waited for it. I waited all night."
"I know."
Emma exhaled slowly. "I think she wanted it. Whatever Rose is offering... she wants it."
He looked down at his feet. "I think they all did. After a point."
Emma finally looked at him. "You think she’s still in there? Natalie?"
"I hope so."
Jude turned and walked toward the edge of the trees, where the trail had gone dark the night before. But the path was gone. The underbrush had grown over it, new roots curling like veins across the dirt. The island wasn’t hiding things, it was swallowing them.