The late-night silence had descended upon the village, a stark contrast to the lively noise of the tavern just hours ago. The only sounds were the soft lapping of the lake against the shore and the gentle chirping of crickets.
In a small, neat bedroom on the second floor of Wanda's tavern, a different kind of silence had taken over.
Julie, Aisha, and Skadi stood awkwardly in their silky nightclothes, the material rustling softly with every nervous shift of their weight. Their hair was damp, and their skin had a fresh, clean sheen from a much-needed bath, a luxury after days of camping.
But the comfort of the bed and the clean room was overshadowed by the undeniable tension in the air.
Normally, on a night like this, they would be laughing and chattering, celebrating the simple joy of a real bed. But tonight was different.
Tonight, they weren't alone.
