By the time Nathan and Shiina returned to camp, the fire had burned lower and the night had deepened into something colder.
The little clearing near the forest no longer felt merely quiet. It felt watchful. The valley loomed not far beyond, wrapped in black mist and silence, its presence so heavy that even from a distance it seemed to press against the air around them. The horses had grown restless enough to need calming more than once, and several members of Shigeru's group were already gathered near the fire instead of sleeping, waiting for the others to return.
Shigeru looked up first when Nathan stepped into the circle of light.
"You are back."
"So are you," Nathan replied, his gaze sweeping over the camp.
