Cynthia appears

Lela's fingers tightened around the picture frame, her eyes lingering on the faded image for a few seconds longer. 

 Something about it unsettled her, but she wasn't sure why. 

 With a frustrated huff, she flung the frame to the ground. 

 The glass cracked upon impact, but she didn't bother looking at it again.

She had more pressing concerns.

Her gaze shifted toward the door at the far end of the room. It was slightly ajar, revealing a thin sliver of light from outside. The hut was cramped and dusty, the air thick with the scent of decay and neglect. There was no point in staying here any longer.

Without hesitation, she strode forward, pushing the door open with one hand. The hinges creaked loudly in protest, the sound echoing in the otherwise silent space.

The moment she stepped outside, she took a deep breath, filling her lungs with fresh air.

Before her lay a small garden, though calling it a garden felt like an overstatement.