Nathan's boots crunched against the gravel driveway of the West family hunting lodge, the stillness of the surrounding forest pressing and weighing down on him. He stood for a moment, the chill of the evening air biting through his jacket. The lodge loomed ahead, its darkened windows giving no indication of any life inside.
As he stepped onto the creaking porch, his hand hovered near his sidearm, a growing unease prickling at the back of his neck. The air felt wrong, charged with something unclear and unspoken.
Pushing open the heavy oak door, Nathan's gaze swept over the dimly lit sitting room. At first glance, the place seemed untouched. Then his eyes landed on the figure slumped in the armchair.
"Alex?" Nathan's voice was sharp, disbelief cutting through his usual composure.