Auren was standing before me. His eyes were sharp, colder than usual, not that calm, polished expression he always carried. There was a hint of anger there, or maybe worry. I couldn't tell.
"I—I was just trying to go to the theme park…" I said, pointing awkwardly over my shoulder.
But the words caught halfway through my throat.
I turned again and froze.
The place that had looked so beautiful before, glowing with soft lights and laughter, was gone.
In its place stood a thick forest. A dark, tangled, and suffocating still. The air was heavy, the colors muted, every sound swallowed by the shadows between the trees.
My breath hitched. "Wha—what happened to…"
Auren's gaze didn't soften. If anything, it grew heavier, the kind of look that made you feel seen and scolded at the same time.
"What the hell is theme park? There is no such thing there," he said again, his voice quieter now but no less firm.
