Day 24: Lyzzorak’s Journal

The river’s edge is where I’ve been lately, watching the water move like a living thing. Vex was there too, her voice low, almost a whisper. She said, ‘It got tangled in vines. Did you see that too?’ I didn’t answer right away—my throat felt too tight. I just stood there, staring at the water, wondering if she’d been watching the river lately, too. Those birds have been acting odd lately, their wings fluttering too fast, like they’re trying to say something. I don’t know why I keep going back to the old ruins. Maybe it’s the vines, or maybe it’s the silence. The air feels heavier than usual tonight, like the world’s holding its breath. I thought about the fireflies—how they drift past so quietly, without a sound. I don’t want to be lost in thought too long, but sometimes I can’t stop. Maybe I just need to let the river carry me away, like it does the water. I don’t know what comes next, but for now, I’m just here, breathing. The sky’s dark, and I’m tired, but I can’t sleep yet. I’ll try to remember what Vex said when I wake up.