Day 19: Zhraa’s Journal

The river smells like rain and old things. Vex stood there by the water, his voice low and urgent. I didn’t want to talk about it, but he kept saying the same thing: ‘You have to go back.’ I tried to tell him I knew better, but my words came out shaky. He just nodded, like he understood. Then he left, and the water was quiet again. Now I’m trying to remember what he said, but my head feels heavy. The fog is thick tonight, and I can’t see the path ahead. Maybe I should go back to the place where we found the old stones. I don’t know why, but I keep thinking about that spot. The stones are cold under my hands, and they feel like they’re waiting for me. I wonder if Vex will come back. Maybe he does. Maybe he doesn’t. I don’t know. I just want to rest.