Chapter 1249

Tilted too wide. Her eyes blinked just a second too slow. And when Grace leaned in to kiss her cheek, she didn't react at first - like she had to remember how.

Jude noticed first. Then Rose.

They didn't say anything.

Not yet.

Later that day, when everyone took turns gathering food, Jude pulled Rose aside.

"She's changed," he said.

Rose nodded. "Like Layla. Like Zoey. That's three."

"She didn't go into the woods. She didn't touch the arch."

Rose stared at the trees. "She didn't have to. She was near us. And we were close to it. It's moving faster now."

Jude's stomach turned. "Then we isolate her?"

Rose shook her head. "That'll only speed it up. She'll cling to the influence more if she feels alone."

"Then what?"

"We watch. We love her. But we don't turn our backs."