Day 23: Kron’s Journal

I can’t remember the last time I felt this quiet. Not the kind of quiet where you hear your own breath, but the kind where the world just… stops. Like the river stones are holding their breath too. I found myself near the old ruins again today—same as yesterday, the day before that. I don’t know why I keep going back there. Maybe it’s because the air smells like water and something older than water. Vex said something to me by the river yesterday, his voice low like he was whispering secrets to the stones. I keep thinking about it. His words felt heavy, like if I closed my eyes, I could feel them pressing against my skin. I don’t know if I ever want to forget what he said, but I don’t know if I ever want to remember it either. The stars are bright tonight, but I can’t sleep. My stomach aches, my legs feel heavy, and I keep wondering if the river stones are watching me. I think about the fire—maybe it’s the only thing that can keep the unknown at bay. Maybe it’s the only thing that can keep me from disappearing into the dark.