They worked in quiet harmony as the last of the sun's light bled away, casting the clearing in deep gold and long shadows. Jude helped Sophie and Rose gather dry wood while Lucy and Emma took up positions at the edges of the clearing, eyes sharp, blades never leaving their sides. Zoey, Scarlet, Grace, Susan, Stella, and Natalie formed a loose circle around the pool, their movements smooth, practiced-each one watching, each one protecting.
The fire sprang to life beneath Jude's hands, its warmth pushing back the night's creeping chill. The light flickered across their faces, painting them in shades of amber and gold, and for a moment, just a moment, it felt almost normal. As if they were simply travelers resting beneath the stars, not souls bound together on a cursed island with a secret heart beating beneath them.