Emily awoke to the faint light of dawn creeping through the cracks in the cave's rocky walls.
The air was cold and damp, clinging to her skin as she pushed herself up from the hard ground.
Her body ached from days of running, her muscles sore and stiff, but there was no room for complaints.
Today wasn't about comfort—it was about survival.
Damien was already awake, his silhouette outlined against the dim light as he crouched near the cave's entrance.
His movements were quiet but deliberate, his eyes scanning the terrain below with an intensity that made it clear he hadn't slept much, if at all.
"Morning," she said softly, her voice breaking the silence.
He glanced back, offering a faint nod. "Morning. Did you get any rest?"
"Enough," Emily replied, though the bags under her eyes told a different story.