Axel’s POV

I sat in the cold, dark cell, my eyes staring at the rusted bars. The sound of dripping water echoed from somewhere far in the distance. It has become a constant in the background of my life now. A sound I could never escape, as if time itself was slowly draining away.

Asher and Aiden were sitting on the other side of the room, their backs against the stone wall, their faces unreadable. But I knew the truth, I could feel it. Their hope had been drained, just like mine. We’d ...