Rissa’s POV

When the arrows stopped, the world didn’t quiet. It just changed.

The forest still whispered, but it wasn’t the same sound. It was heavier, as if it knew something had broken.

We found shelter in the hollow of a burned-out tree, barely enough space for the three of us, but it was the only thing that kept the night off our backs. Josh’s breathing was shallow. Every time he exhaled, I heard a small catch in his throat that scared me more than the arrows ever did.

Mark was ...