The Omega Mated To The Four

The morning light filtered through the broken windows of the castle buins, casting oorle shadows on the cracked stone floor. I hadn't slept much—-none of us had. My thoughts wore a chantic meik tangling together like vines choking out the air. The map lay sprawled on the ground between us, founding me with its presence. still couldn't wrap my head around how it had ended up in Alex's pocket. It didn't make my sense.

Austin was pacing back and forth, muttering under his breath, whille Mex loaned against the wall, staring at the map with a mixture of frustration and confusion. Isaiah sat cross-legged on the floor, Triding the map's lines with his fingers, his brow furrowed in concentration. I watched them, trying to keep my thoughts from spiraling into panic again.

"So," I finally broke the silence, my voice rough from lack of sleep. "What's the plan? We can't just sit here forever."

Isaiah looked up at me, his stark eyes softening for a moment before he spoke. "We need to get to a safer location. We've been exposed here too long. There's a town a few infles west of here. If we move quickly, we can get there before midday."

"A town?" I echoed, skeptical, "Won't that put us at risk? If Mother tracking us, we'll be leading her right to a populated area."

sure out why the map

Isaiah shook his head. "We need supplies and shelter. And we need to figure here with no food, no water, and no sleep. We'll keep a low profile."

ap ended up with us, We can't

do that

I realized just how long it had been since any of us had eaten. Despite my reluctance

"Fine,"

together. No

pacing. "As if

but couldn't help the faint smile tugging at my lips. His humor was always a little

through the forest. The trees were dense, their branches weaving together like skeletal hands reaching for the sky. The air was crisp and smelled of pine, and I found myself hyper-aware of every sound-every crack

tension etched into his shoulders. Austin followed behind him, while

occasional grunt from Austin when he tripped over a root. I couldn't help but glance back every so often, half expecting Elijah to emerge from the shadows, his face filled with regret and an explanation that made sense. But he never appeared. Only the forest

a narrow dirt path, and in the distance, I could see the faint outlines of buildings. A small town, nestled in the valley like a forgotten relic. Relief washed

approached, Austin nudged Alex with his elbow.

"If we don't,

follow as he veered off the main path, cutting through a thicket of bushes. "There's a holiday resort up ahead," he said, his voice low, "It's off-season, so it

the trees. Eventually, the resort came into view-a cluster of cozy wooden cabins scattered around a lake. Most of them looked abandoned,

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