Katherine lay stretched across her bed, a paperback novel splayed open in her hand, the pages fluttering slightly each time the fan rotated in its slow, clicking arc. The afternoon sun had softened, slanting gold through the cabin’s windows, dust motes dancing in the light. Everything about the moment was quiet, peaceful—until the cabin door creaked open.

Carolina stepped in slowly, her shoulders hunched, her usual lightness dulled to something fragile and silent. She didn’t say ...