Rissa’s POV

We found shelter before sunrise, a crumbling hunting cabin tucked deep in the trees, half swallowed by moss and silence.

Mark cleared the doorway first, rifle raised, eyes cutting through the dark. Inside, the air smelled of damp wood and old smoke. Dust clung to everything. It was not much, but it was something that could hold us until morning.

Josh stumbled as we crossed the threshold. His weight had been getting heavier the farther we walked. I eased him down onto a broken ...