** Callen’s POV **

The walk back from the creek is quieter than it should be.

Even the forest feels quiet. Birds are still singing somewhere above, and the wind rustles through the trees, but it’s all background noise. The real silence is with us. Paige hasn’t said a word since Ronnie’s last comment, and honestly, none of us have.

She walks ahead of me, just behind Ryder, her shoulders squared, but her head slightly lowered, like she’s holding something heavy inside. Every now and ...