The next day, the tension hadn't faded. It had become like a second skin around the group.
They walked through a darker forest, the trees leaning in like silent watchers. The path grew harder, full of natural obstacles. Aletha led the way, still silent. She moved fast, as if tiredness couldn't touch her—or as if she was running from something.
Caden followed from behind, watching her. Her movements were sharp, almost robotic. More than once, she whispered to herself—quick, strange murmurs no one could understand.
When he tripped on a branch and caught her by the arm just in time to stop her fall—it all exploded.
She turned around suddenly and slapped him.
"I told you… DO NOT touch me!" she screamed, eyes wide.
Silence dropped. Even Zetch froze, shocked.
Bella rushed between them.
"Aletha! What's wrong with you? Caden was just trying to help you!"
"I... I didn't ask for anything!" she yelled, then backed away, eyes avoiding theirs. "Leave me alone. All of you. Stay away."
She turned and stormed off, breathing hard.
Zetch frowned.
"Okay. That's not normal," he muttered to Bella.
But she gestured for patience. Just a little more.
Caden stood still. His face was frozen, but his thoughts spun fast.
She wasn't just angry.
She was afraid. Or something else.
And her eyes... when she hit him, he could swear he saw something black, quick, flash in her pupils.
Night fell. They set up camp in silence, again. This time, Aletha refused to come near the fire. She stayed alone, farther off, arms wrapped around her knees, lost in a heavy silence.
Caden sat by the fire, staring blankly.
"Something's wrong," he whispered to himself. "This isn't just a fight. This isn't her..."
And for the first time, fear replaced the anger in his heart.