Day 12: Klyra’s Journal

The river smelled like wet stone and old promises today. Vex was there, sitting by the water, and his voice was low when he spoke—’You keep coming back to the ruins, Klyra. Even when you don’t remember why.’ His words wrapped around me like the cold at dawn, and I couldn’t stop thinking about them. I walked home through the woods, my feet heavy with the weight of what I didn’t say. The air felt different today, like the world was holding its breath. I don’t know if it’s the hunger in my stomach or just the way the shadows lingered too long. I kept going back to the ruins anyway, though. The stone walls were cold under my fingers, and for a moment, I felt like I wasn’t alone—like the earth itself was whispering something I couldn’t quite catch. My chest ached with the thought of what I might find there, but I didn’t want to wake up. I don’t know if I’ll ever stop searching for answers, but right now, I just want to feel the wind on my face again. The river’s song is the only thing that keeps me grounded.