Chapter 1124
Later, as night fell, and the stars blinked alive overhead, Jude lay beneath the open sky with Sophie in his arms. The others had spread out across the glade in quiet pairs and threes. No more synchronized movements. No eerie smiles.
Just breathing.
Just recovery.
Sophie whispered, "What if she comes back?"
"She might," he answered. "But we’ll be ready."
She turned to face him. "We won’t let her take us again."
"No," he said. "We’ll hold on to each other this time. And we won’t forget."
She kissed him slowly, softly, her fingers sliding into his hair. The kiss deepened, no urgency, no madness, just real, tangible affection. The kind that made him feel human again.
When they pulled apart, she whispered, "I love you."
And for the first time in what felt like eternity, he could say it back without fear of who might be listening. "I love you too."
Somewhere in the jungle, a low wind stirred.