Shadows in Hidden Dale

Sky

My eyes narrowed as I scanned the forest ahead, a nagging unease settling in my gut. Before I could dwell on it, Trevor threw his arm over my shoulder, nearly knocking me off balance.

"Hey, man, why so serious?" he asked, his usual jolly tone breaking through my thoughts.

I turned to him, unimpressed. "Who are you now? The Joker?"

"Fuck no. Why Joker?"

"You literally quoted him."

Trevor blinked, processing my words, before waving it off. "Forget about that."

He suddenly leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "What do I do?"

I raised an eyebrow. "Huh? About what?" I feigned cluelessness, even though I already had a pretty good idea.

"About Victoria." He flicked his gaze toward her.

I followed his line of sight. Victoria trailed behind the group, her usual gloom wrapped around her like an invisible cloak. Dressed in a black hoodie and faded blue jeans, with her hood pulled low over her face, she looked like she belonged in the shadows.

I turned back to Trevor. "Talk to her. Get familiar. Close the distance."

Trevor nodded, staring at Victoria like he was psyching himself up for battle. "Yeah... yeah, I'm gonna do it."

"Just do it."

"Yeah, I'm— I'm gonna do it," he repeated, full of enthusiasm.

But he didn't move.

Instead, he leaned even harder against me, his body weight pressing down like a goddamn boulder. I normally had a high tolerance for Trevor's antics, but this was getting ridiculous.

"Trevor fucking Kane," I gritted out, "either stay or go, but get your damn arm off me. You're heavy."

He blinked at me, startled.

"My guy, you're an athlete. I, on the other hand, have lost enough weight to be considered half a person. Move before my spine collapses."

Trevor laughed, finally peeling himself off me. "Alright, alright, I'm going."

He shot me a grin before heading toward Victoria, leaving me to roll my shoulder, easing the stiffness.

The walk continued. Our destination loomed ahead.