the silent heartbeat

Chapter 24

Chapter 24

The night passed in a restless haze. Every time I managed to close my eyes, I could hear one of my friends' voices faintly, whispering my name or calling out to each other in soft, worried tones. They had been taking turns checking on me, making sure I was okay. I appreciated it, but it kept me on edge, like I was half-asleep and half-aware of their concern. The safety of the barrier didn't ease the images still flickering through my mind—the creature masquerading as my father, the cold gleam in its eyes.

When morning finally broke, the first rays of sunlight filtered through the tent's fabric, rousing me from what felt like the hundredth time of drifting in and out. I opened my eyes to the sight of an open tent flap, the bright daylight streaming in. My body felt heavy and my mind foggy. I rubbed my eyes, yawning widely, trying to shake off the drowsiness that clung to me.

As I crawled out of the tent, I was met with the sight of my friends, all looking refreshed and dressed comfortably. They were already moving about the campsite, packing up their belongings and chatting quietly among themselves. When they noticed me, they turned and greeted me with warm smiles and a few friendly nods.

"M-Morning," I mumbled, my voice heavy with sleep. They responded in chorus, some of them chuckling as they took in my disheveled state. I was pretty sure I looked exactly how I felt—like I'd barely slept at all.

"Did you all take a bath already?" I asked, frowning as I took in how clean and refreshed they looked.

They nodded, and Kaleb stepped forward with a grin. "There's a river not too far from here. We found it early in the morning and decided to freshen up."

I raised an eyebrow. "Where? I don't remember seeing any river nearby last night."

Kaleb chuckled. "It's hidden behind a few dense trees a bit further off," he said. "Come on, we'll take you there. It's refreshing."

The thought of cool water sounded heavenly. I gave a tired nod, letting them lead me along a narrow, winding path through the trees. As we walked, the sounds of the forest surrounded us—birds singing from above, leaves rustling in the soft morning breeze, and the distant trickle of flowing water. The more I walked, the more the refreshing sounds seemed to wake me up.

After a few minutes, we finally reached the river. It was beautiful, a secluded stream of clear water that sparkled under the morning sun. Trees with lush, overhanging branches shaded the area, creating a serene, almost magical atmosphere. The water was so clear that I could see the smooth rocks and pebbles at the bottom, and small fish darted between them.

"Wow," I breathed, feeling a sudden rush of energy just from looking at it. "This place is amazing."

Berryl smiled and nodded. "It really is. You'll feel so much better after a wash."

Taking her advice, I stepped toward the river, dipping my fingers into the water. It was cool and refreshing, the perfect remedy for the weariness that had settled into my bones. I splashed my face, letting the water wake me up fully, and before long, I waded in a little deeper, feeling the crisp water against my skin.

As I washed, my friends gave me some space, letting me take my time to enjoy the tranquility of the river. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, the events of the previous night slowly melting away in the comforting embrace of the cool water. It was as if the river washed away not only the physical exhaustion but also the lingering anxiety and fear that had kept me up all night. For the first time since we had left the camp, I felt like I could finally breathe a little easier.

I took a few moments to just float there, allowing myself to relax completely. I thought back to the creature and the eerie experience I'd had, wondering if it was just a one-time encounter or if there was more waiting for us in the journey ahead. But I shook off the thought—now wasn't the time to worry about it. For the moment, I wanted to focus on the peace of the river and the kindness of my friends.