A faint whisper. No words. Just a tone, like breath carried on wind. He stood up straight, scanning the forest line. Nothing moved. The trees were still. The river flowed calmly. But he knew what he heard.
And he wasn't alone.
When he returned to camp, he found Amelia staring at a spot in the dirt, her brow furrowed.
"What is it?" he asked.
She looked up, startled. "I don't know. I think… I forgot something again."
Jude crouched beside her. "When?"
"A few minutes ago. I was helping Grace, and then… I was standing here, and she was gone. I don't even remember her leaving."
Jude's stomach sank. Another one.
And Amelia didn't even know she'd been missing.
He helped her up gently, offering no answers. What could he say? That something was moving through them like a shadow? That something was wearing their bodies like clothing, speaking in their voices, looking through their eyes?