The Fine Line

Chapter 15: Shadows in the Woods

The sun rose the next morning, casting long shadows through the trees surrounding the cabin. Emilia awoke to the chirping of birds and the distant sound of the lake lapping against the shore. As she stretched and took in the peaceful surroundings, a sense of contentment enveloped her. The night before had solidified her commitment to Adrian, and she felt a renewed sense of clarity.

Adrian was still asleep, his arm draped protectively over her. She smiled to herself, feeling grateful for the warmth of his presence. After quietly slipping out of bed, Emilia decided to make breakfast again, hoping to surprise him.

She was mixing up pancake batter when the sound of her phone vibrating on the counter jolted her. She wiped her hands on a dish towel and picked it up.

It was a message from her friend Lucy, asking if she had heard the news about Daniel. Emilia's heart sank as she quickly typed back, "No, what happened?"

The reply came almost instantly: "He was found dead in the woods near the lake. They say it looks suspicious."

A chill coursed through Emilia's body, and she felt her stomach drop. "What do you mean, suspicious?" she typed back, her hands trembling slightly.

Lucy replied, "No one knows how he died. The police are investigating, and they're saying it might not have been an accident. You should be careful."

Emilia's breath quickened, and she glanced toward the bedroom where Adrian was still sleeping. Panic gripped her heart as she processed the news. Daniel was dead? It felt surreal, almost like a cruel twist of fate. She couldn't shake the feeling of dread that settled over her.

Before she could contemplate further, she heard footsteps behind her. Adrian emerged from the bedroom, his feathers tousled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. "What's wrong?" he asked, concern etched on his face.

Emilia struggled to find her voice. "It's... it's Daniel. He was found dead in the woods near here."

Adrian's expression shifted from confusion to shock. "What? Are you serious?"

She nodded, her heart racing. "Lucy just messaged me. They're saying it looks suspicious."

Adrian ran a hand through his feathers, his brow furrowed. "That's... that's really alarming. Do the police know what happened?"

"I don't know. Lucy didn't say much," Emilia replied, her thoughts racing. "What if it wasn't an accident?"

A heavy silence filled the room as they exchanged worried glances. The carefree weekend they had been enjoying now felt shattered, replaced by an unsettling sense of foreboding.

"We need to go to the police station or something," Adrian suggested, his voice firm. "This is serious."

"Yeah," Emilia agreed, her voice trembling. "We should find out what's going on."

---

They quickly dressed and drove into town, the atmosphere heavy with tension. The usual chatter of the small lakeside community felt muted, and Emilia noticed the concerned faces of the locals as they passed by. A sense of unease settled around her, and the image of Daniel's lifeless body haunted her thoughts.

When they arrived at the police station, they were met with a stark reality. Officers were bustling around, some speaking in hushed tones, others looking grim. The front desk officer glanced at them as they approached.

"Can I help you?" he asked, his voice clipped.

"We heard about Daniel," Adrian said, his tone serious. "We wanted to know what happened."

The officer hesitated, glancing over his shoulder. "I can't disclose much right now. We're still investigating, but we suggest you stay away from the area near the woods for the time being."