In country J
Seren paced restlessly across the living room, her steps uneven, her hands clasping and unclasping as if she didn't know what to do with them. Every second stretched too long. Every silence felt louder than it should. Her eyes kept drifting to the door, waiting.
It opened.
Leo stepped in.
Seren didn't wait. She rushed to him immediately, her voice tight with desperation. "Any sign of them yet?"
Leo hesitated for the briefest moment. Then he shook his head. "No."
The word landed heavily.
Seren's shoulders dropped slightly, the hope in her eyes dimming, but she forced herself to stay composed. She nodded once, swallowing whatever panic threatened to rise again. "You can rest for today, Leo" she said, her voice softer now. "You've tried enough."
Leo looked at her, as if he wanted to say something more but didn't.
Instead, he gave a small nod and turned, leaving the house in silence.
The moment the door closed, the weight in the room seemed to double.
