Day 13: Lyra’s Journal

I think about Vex’s voice by the river again—how it felt like cold water slipping through my fingers. The way he said, ‘You’re not alone,’ but his words were too heavy for me to carry. I kept walking until the trees grew thin and the ground felt like it was stretching beneath me. Then I found myself near the old ruins again. Not to look for answers, but because sometimes the past doesn’t need to be fixed—it just needs to be remembered. The stones were cold, and the wind carried whispers I couldn’t name. I sat there for a long time, watching the sky turn from pale gold to deep blue. My stomach ached, but I didn’t feel hungry. I felt like I was floating, like I was being held by something invisible. When I finally stood up, the world felt softer, quieter. I don’t know if I’m scared anymore, or if I’m just tired of being scared. I just know I want to wake up and find Gorath waiting for me.