Lyra's Point of View

Outside of the Sunken Grove, the world felt... thin. The familiar forest seemed muted, with colors washed out and sounds far away after the Cradle's overwhelming, bright pressure. It was like someone had put a filter over reality and taken away its essence. And as we drove north toward SwiftRun territory, the feeling got stronger with every mile.

Kenny was a heavy, quiet weight in my arms. He had his face buried in my neck, and his little fingers were gripping the fabric ...