ALICE POV
Sunlight filtered through the dense branches above, casting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor as I pressed forward, every step cautious and every sense sharpened. The strange, haunting sound I had followed seemed to pull me deeper, guiding me through winding trails, past twisted roots and empty clearings, until, unexpectedly, I found myself at the edge of a place I recognized. The lake.
This was one of Alex's favorite spots. He’d brought me here more times than I could count. The serenity of the water, the gentle whisper of the wind, everything about this lake usually held a kind of magic, one that always brought peace and warmth. But now, something was different. A thick, oppressive tension filled the air, pressing down on my chest and making it hard to breathe
