The sudden seriousness in Luca's voice caught everyone off guard.
One moment they had been admiring their collective masterpiece, basking in the warm glow of accomplishment, and the next, that familiar tension had crept back into the air.
But they obeyed.
One by one, the elves stepped away from the wall, casting lingering glances at their drawings.
Pride shone in their eyes—pride in what they had created together, in this chaotic beautiful testament to their community.
Little Fefe waved goodbye to her stick-figure family.
Lulu blew a kiss at her overly glamorous self-portrait.
Even Leona found herself staring at her horrendous creation for a moment longer than she intended.
They gathered behind Luca, forming a loose semicircle, waiting to see what would happen next.
Luca too gave the wall a long look. His expression was sorrowful, almost as if he was seeing it for one last time, memorizing every detail.
