Chapter 1244
Emma swallowed hard and nodded, her hand trembling slightly in Layla’s grip.
Lucy looked toward the far wall, where a soft humming had begun, almost melodic. "We should leave. The island’s watching."
Rose stood first. "It knows we broke the connection."
"It’ll try again," Jude said.
Sophie helped Layla to sit, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "Then we stay ahead of it. Together."
They moved slowly back through the winding cavern. Layla’s legs were unsteady, but with Jude and Rose at her sides, she stayed upright. The others flanked them, all alert, all quiet, their senses stretched thin. No one dared to speak above a whisper, as if fearing the walls would listen.
The forest outside was still and strangely bright. Morning light had finally broken through the strange dusk, but it felt artificial, like the island was compensating, overcorrecting. The birds returned one by one, but their songs were flat, disconnected.
When they arrived at the clearing, the treehouses stood exactly as they had left them, untouched. But it felt different now. Like the heart of the island had shifted.
Stella was the first to meet them on the path, her eyes wide, breath catching when she saw Layla walking. "You’re - "
Layla smiled softly. "I’m here."
Stella ran forward and threw her arms around her, burying her face in Layla’s neck. "I thought you were gone."