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Astrid POV

Hours passed.

Or at least, it felt like hours.

Time moved strangely after something like that—too slow, too heavy. The kind of slow that made every second stretch longer than it should.

The campsite had gone quiet.

Not completely.

But close.

Most students had retreated to their tents, the earlier energy of the night long gone. No music. No laughter. Just low voices drifting through the thin fabric walls—whispers, hushed conversations, the kind people have when they’re trying not to say how shaken they really are.

Some had managed to sleep.

Others… were pretending.

I lay on my back, staring up at the tent ceiling again, just like earlier.

Only this time, there was no peace in it.

Elsie slept beside me, her breathing soft and steady, one arm tucked under her head. She must have been exhausted—emotionally drained more than anything.

I envied that.

Because no matter how many times I closed my eyes…

Sleep didn’t come.

Every time I tried, my mind drifted back to it.

The bodies.

The way they didn’t move.

The way they were zipped into those bags like… like that was it.

Done.

Over.

I exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face before pushing myself up.

I couldn’t just lie there.

Not like this.

Carefully, I swung my legs off the bed, making sure not to wake Elsie. She shifted slightly but didn’t stir.

Good.

I grabbed my jacket, slipping it over my shoulders before stepping out of the tent.

The air outside was colder now.

Quieter.

The fire had died down to embers, a faint glow still flickering in the center of the clearing, casting just enough light to keep the darkness from completely swallowing the space.

A few silhouettes moved in the distance—students heading to and from tents, voices low, subdued.

Everyone felt it.

The shift.

I wrapped my arms around myself slightly, stepping further out, letting the cool air hit my face.

Maybe I just needed that.

A moment.

A breath.

But then,

My gaze drifted.

And landed on the cabin.

It stood there, just like before.

Still.

Lit from the inside.

And something in me… shifted.

A thought.

Quiet.

Curious.

Before I could stop myself, I was already moving.

Slow steps at first.

Then quieter ones.

Careful.

I didn’t even fully question it—I just followed the pull.

The closer I got, the more I could hear faint voices from inside. Not loud. Not clear. Just enough to know they were still awake.

Still talking.

I paused at the base of the wooden steps, glancing around briefly.

No one.

Good.

Then I moved.

Each step deliberate as I climbed up, the wood creaking faintly beneath my weight. I winced slightly, pausing for a second before continuing.

When I reached the door, I didn’t knock.

Didn’t move to open it.

Instead, I leaned slightly closer, pressing just enough to hear better.

“…unfortunate situation,” one of the voices said from inside.

Another followed, lower. “The students are shaken. You saw them.”

“I know,” came Mr. Jay’s voice.

I stilled.

There was something different about it now.

Less controlled.

More… tired.

“They’re not used to something like this,” another lecturer added. “We brought them out here for a normal experience and this is how it turns out.”

A quiet scoff came from someone else.

“Normal,” they repeated. “Right.”

Silence lingered for a moment before Mr. Jay spoke again.

“It was an accident,” he said firmly. “A tragic one, yes—but still an accident.”

“You’re sure?” another voice asked.

There was a pause.

A small one.

Then—

“Yes.”

It came a little too quickly.

My brows pulled together slightly.

“They shouldn’t have left the clearing,” someone else muttered. “We made that clear from the beginning.”

“They’re students,” another replied. “They don’t always listen.”

A sigh followed.

Then—

“I don’t think we should continue this trip,” an official said.

That made me stiffen slightly.

“The atmosphere is already ruined. The students won’t feel safe—not after this. It would be best if we wrap things up and have them return tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” someone echoed.

“Yes. First thing.”

A beat.

Then—

“I agree.”

“So do I.”

“It’s the safest option.”

My chest tightened slightly at that.

Tomorrow?

Already?

I didn’t know why that bothered me.

Maybe because it made everything feel… cut short.

Abrupt.

Like we were being pulled away before we could even process what just happened.

Before I could think further—

My foot shifted slightly.

And hit something.

A metal bucket.

It tipped.

Clanged.

Loud.

Too loud.

My heart dropped.

“Fuck,” I breathed under my breath.

Inside, chairs scraped.

“What was that?”

“Did you hear that?”

I didn’t wait.

I moved.

Fast.

But quiet.

Down the steps, across the clearing, putting as much distance between me and that cabin as possible without drawing attention.

My pulse hammered in my chest as I slowed down, forcing myself to look normal.

Calm.

Like I hadn’t just been eavesdropping.

I made my way back toward the fire and sank down onto one of the logs, grabbing an empty bottle lying nearby just to give my hands something to do.

I stared into the dying embers.

Breathed.

Waited.

Minutes passed.

Maybe more.

Then—

Footsteps.

Behind me.

Slow.

Measured.

I turned slightly, forcing a small jolt into my movement as if I had just noticed.

“Oh—”

Mr. Jay stood there.

I blinked, widening my eyes just a little.

“Sorry,” he said immediately, lifting a hand slightly. “Didn’t mean to startle you.”

I let out a small breath, shaking my head.

“It’s fine, I thought you were some wild animal” I replied.

But my heart hadn’t fully slowed yet.

And something about the way he looked at me—

Made me wonder if it ever would.

“Oh—no,” he said after a brief pause, shaking his head lightly as if responding to a thought I hadn’t voiced. “There are no wild animals out here that would do something like that.”

I nodded slowly, though that hadn’t even been what I was thinking about.

Not entirely.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?” he asked, his tone softer now as he took a step closer—but not too close.

I opened my mouth to answer.

Nothing came out.

Not because I didn’t have an answer.

But because I had too many.

So I closed my mouth again and shook my head slightly.

He watched me for a second, understanding flickering in his eyes.

“Trouble sleeping?” he asked.

I nodded.

“Yeah.”

He hummed quietly, glancing toward the dim glow of the cabin behind him before looking back at me.

“I have some chamomile tea,” he said. “It helps. Calms the nerves. You might be able to get some rest.”

I hesitated for only a second.

“Sure,” I said softly. “I’d appreciate that.”

He gave a small nod.

“I’ll be right back.”

And just like that, he turned and walked away, his steps quiet as he headed toward the cabin.

I watched him go.

Then looked back at the fire.

Or what was left of it.

Just embers now.

Faint.

Dying.

The kind that still gave off warmth if you sat close enough—but not enough to chase away the cold completely.

I pulled my jacket tighter around myself, staring into the soft orange glow, my thoughts drifting without direction.

Dead.

The word echoed again.

I exhaled slowly, rubbing my hands together.

Maybe the tea would help.

A few minutes passed before I heard footsteps again.

I turned this time without pretending.

Mr. Jay approached, holding out a cup toward me. A faint curl of steam rose from it, the scent already reaching me before I even took it.

Chamomile.

Warm.

Soft.

“Here,” he said.

“Thank you,” I replied, taking it carefully, my fingers brushing against the heat.

It felt… grounding.

I lifted it slightly, taking a cautious sip.

The warmth spread almost immediately, settling somewhere deep in my chest.

We stood there in silence for a moment.

Then—

“These things…” he started, his voice quieter now, less like a lecturer and more like… just a person. “They happen.”

I didn’t respond.

“Accidents,” he continued. “Unfortunate ones. But still… accidents.”

I stared down into the cup, watching the faint ripple of the liquid.

“You shouldn’t let it occupy your mind too much,” he added gently. “It won’t change anything. It’ll only make the night harder for you.”

I let out a small breath.

“I know,” I said.

And I did.

But knowing didn’t make it easier.

Still—

“I appreciate it,” I added, glancing up at him briefly.

He nodded once.

Then something crossed my mind.

A small detail.

One that hadn’t quite settled earlier.

“How did you know?” I asked.

His brows furrowed slightly.

“Their necks,” I clarified. “You said they snapped… on impact.”

For a second, he just looked at me.

Then he gave a small, almost tired smile.

“I’ve been teaching anatomy for years, Astrid,” he said. “You see enough injuries, enough case studies… you start recognizing patterns.”

He gestured faintly with his hand.

“The position of the body. The angle of the fall. The way the head was tilted… it’s not hard to tell when a cervical fracture is involved.”

I held his gaze for a moment.

Then nodded.

That made sense.

“You notice things like that,” he added. “It becomes second nature.”

“Right,” I murmured.

The silence returned, but it wasn’t uncomfortable.

Just… quiet.

After a moment, he glanced up at the sky, then back at me.

“You should head back to your tent,” he said. “It’ll be morning soon.”

I followed his gaze briefly.

The sky was still dark—but lighter than before.

He wasn’t wrong.

I nodded, finishing the last of the tea before standing up.

“Thank you,” I said again, holding the empty cup slightly.

He gave a small wave of his hand.

“You can return it later.”

I nodded once more.

Then turned.

The walk back to my tent felt shorter this time.

Quieter.

The campsite was almost completely still now. Most lights were out. Most voices gone.

Just the occasional rustle of fabric. A shift. A breath.

I slipped inside carefully, making sure not to wake Elsie.

She was still asleep.

Peaceful.

Unaffected—at least on the surface.

I set the cup down beside my bag, then climbed back onto my bed, pulling the covers over myself.

The warmth from the tea lingered.

Soft.

Soothing.

I closed my eyes.

For once,

My thoughts didn’t fight me.

Didn’t pull me back.

Slowly…

Quietly…

I drifted.

And this time,

Sleep came.

Killian POV

Mornings weren’t supposed to feel like this.

Not after a night like that.

I stood just outside the tent, the cool air brushing against my skin, one hand rubbing the back of my neck as my eyes scanned the campsite.

Everyone was already out.

Too early.

Too awake.

Groups of students stood scattered around, some whispering, some just… staring. No one laughed. No one joked. Even the ones who usually couldn’t keep quiet looked like they didn’t know what to say anymore.

The fire was gone.

Completely.

Just ash left behind.

Figures.

Across the clearing, the lecturers and officials had already gathered, talking among themselves in low voices. Serious. Focused.

Yeah.

This wasn’t going to be a normal morning.

I exhaled slowly, shifting my weight as I glanced around—

And then I saw her.

Astrid.

She was already walking toward me, her steps steady but her expression… off. Not scared. Not exactly.

Just… tired.

She stopped in front of me and let out a quiet sigh.

“We’re going back today,” she murmured.

I blinked.

“What?”

She leaned in slightly, lowering her voice.

“The trip’s over. They’re sending us back.”

Behind her, Jason stepped closer, catching the last part.

“Going back?” he repeated. “As in… home?”

“Obviously,” Odin said from the side, arms folded like he’d already accepted it.

Elsie frowned slightly, looking between all of us.

“How do you know that?” she asked.

Astrid smacked her lips lightly, glancing away for a second before answering.

“I couldn’t sleep,” she said. “So I went to… eavesdrop.”

That earned a look from me.

Of course she did.

Archie perked up slightly at that.

“Eavesdrop?” he repeated, a faint grin trying—and failing—to show. “On who? And more importantly… did you hear anything interesting?”

Astrid let out a soft, almost amused breath.

“Just that they’re planning to end the trip,” she said. “Nothing else.”

Archie tilted his head slightly.

“You don’t think someone’s behind what happened?” he asked, lowering his voice just a bit.

There was a pause.

Astrid shook her head, a faint laugh slipping out.

“Nah.”

Simple.

Certain.

I watched her for a second longer.

Then looked away.

Around us, the camp slowly started moving again—not in a lively way, but in that restless, uncertain kind of motion. People picking up their bags, pacing, talking in low voices like they were trying to make sense of everything without actually saying it out loud.

Time dragged.

Minutes stretched.

Until finally—

The lecturers stepped forward.

Mr. Jay stood at the front again, his expression composed, but there was something heavier sitting behind it now.

“Alright, everyone,” he called.

The murmurs quieted.

Students turned.

Waited.

“This trip will be cut short,” he continued. “You’ll all be returning to the university today. Returning to your various homes today”

A ripple moved through the crowd instantly.

“What?”

“Already?”

“No way—”

“We just got here!”

Side conversations broke out, louder this time. Some students clearly weren’t happy about it.

Mr. Jay raised his hand slightly.

“We understand your disappointment,” he said. “But given what happened last night, continuing this trip is not an option.”

His gaze swept across us.

“We have to notify the school and the appropriate authorities about the incident. Your safety comes first.”

“Come on, it was just an accident,” someone argued.

“Why cancel everything for that?”

“We’re fine!”

A few voices agreed.

Others didn’t.

The divide was obvious.

“You don’t have a choice,” one of the officials said firmly. “We will be evacuating shortly.”

That shut a few people up.

“Some of you are already struggling to rest,” Mr. Jay added, his tone softer now. “And this environment… isn’t ideal anymore.”

His eyes shifted.

Landed briefly—

On Astrid.

I noticed it.

The way she shifted slightly beside me.

Then he looked away just as quickly.

“You all have one hour,” he continued. “Pack your belongings. We leave soon.”

That was it.

No negotiation.

No discussion.

Just… done.

The group slowly broke apart again, conversations picking up—quieter this time, more resigned.

I dragged a hand through my hair, letting out a breath as I scratched the back of my neck again.

“Guess that’s that,” I muttered.

Dove shrugged lightly, leaning into Zora.

“Oh well,” she said. “Bad trip.”

Zora nodded once, not arguing.

Riven stood a little apart from us, his gaze distant as he looked toward the woods.

“Is this a sign?” he asked suddenly.

I frowned slightly, turning toward him.

“A sign of what?”

Damon snorted.

“A sign that we should just go home,” he said. “Back to Velmora.”

There was a beat.

Riven didn’t immediately respond.

Then—

“They can’t say the students were attacked,” he said slowly. “Not when there’s nothing pointing to that.”

He looked at us.

“No more hunters. No more enemies.”

“TBD’s gone,” Jason added quietly.

“Exactly,” Riven said.

The words settled in.

Because he wasn’t wrong.

Everything that had been a threat—

Was gone.

So this?

This had to be what they said it was.

An accident.

Archie stretched his arms slightly, rolling his shoulders.

“Whatever,” he said. “Let the authorities deal with it. That’s literally their job.”

Odin hummed in agreement.

“Nothing we can do here anyway.”

Elsie nodded faintly, though she still looked a little unsettled.

I glanced at Astrid again.

She didn’t say anything this time.

Just stood there.

Quiet.

Thinking.

I nudged her lightly with my shoulder.

“You good?” I asked.

She looked at me.

And for a second—

Something flickered in her eyes.

Then it was gone.

“Yeah,” she said.

I nodded.

But I didn’t fully believe it.

And for some reason—

Even with everyone saying it was over…

Even with no enemies left…

Something about all of this—

Didn’t sit right with me.