TONIA's POV
Lucien kept the engine running through the entire night until dawn broke across the horizon. After countless exhausting hours on the road, we finally reached our destination.
The house sat isolated on the edge of a forgotten town, where wild vegetation had claimed more territory than civilization ever could.
"My grandmother owned this place," Lucien said as we walked toward the weathered structure. "I spent every holiday here as a kid."
The building looked like it had been abandoned for decades. I wanted to point this out, but my voice felt trapped somewhere deep in my throat. Simple conversation had become an impossible task.
We had fled with nothing but the clothes on our backs. Lucien carried only his phone and wallet in his pockets.
Inside, the house revealed its spacious bones beneath layers of neglect and dust. Years of abandonment had left their mark on every surface.
A coughing fit seized me as particles filled my lungs.
