Chapter 61: Grace's Breaking Point

The journey back to New Haven was quiet, the weight of the mountain's discoveries pressing heavily on the group. As they navigated the forest paths, the glow of the mineral in their packs seemed to thrum faintly, a subtle reminder of the power they had uncovered. George kept a vigilant eye on the shadows, his instincts telling him that the mountain's secrets had not been left behind entirely.

When the group finally emerged from the dense woods into the familiar expanse of Pleasant Valley, a sense of relief washed over them. The sounds of life in the community, a distant hammer pounding, children laughing, the low hum of conversation, served as a grounding reminder of what they were fighting for. Yet, as they approached New Haven's gates, George noticed a tension in the air, subtle but unmistakable.