Day 9: Nyx’s Journal

The river rocks still feel cold under my palms. I can’t stop thinking about what Vex said by the willow—how the water was whispering secrets only they could hear. My stomach’s been growling all night, but that’s not what’s stuck in my throat. It’s the way the sky turned the color of old bruises just after the storm. I kept walking back to the ruins, but I don’t know why. Maybe because the stones there look like they’re holding their breath. I sat by the creek again this morning, and the blueberries were gone—only the water remained, dark and still. I told Gem about the lightning, but it didn’t feel like the storm was over. It felt like something else was waiting, just beyond the light. Vex’s face was softer when they spoke, but their eyes were empty. I don’t want to talk about it anymore. I just want to sit in the silence with the water, until it’s time to sleep.