Alina bent down, brushing his messy hair from his forehead. "Hold on, Drake. Just a little longer, until we find a safe place," she said softly, patting his back to encourage him to keep walking.
The forest grew darker with every step, the towering trees swallowing what little light remained. Even the path seemed to vanish beneath their feet. Alina pulled out her phone, but the battery icon blinked red, and the flashlight refused to switch on. She bit her lip, forcing herself to stay calm for the children.
"Stay close to me, everyone," she whispered, her eyes darting between the shadows. Boo muttered nervously behind her, floating lower than usual instead of high above. Rocky stumbled over roots, his fear making him clumsy. Sable clutched his hand tightly in silence, and even Luna, usually bold, walked with her small fingers clenched around Alina's sleeve.
