For Me,There Is Only You |18+|

46. Forms Of Love

By the time the others arrived at Grimwood, the last traces of daylight had faded, leaving the forest wrapped in darkness.

Genesis had called everyone one by one, sharing what we'd uncovered.

Not that they'd believed her right away.

Phoebe arrived first, and we could barely wait to show her. Genesis and I exchanged a quick look, then eagerly led her to the fissure, where the faint blue and purple glow seeped from the cracks in the earth below.

Noel showed up just after, and we repeated the whole thing again, guiding them over the area like we were some tourist guides.

Though Phoebe and Noel kept giving me and Genesis strange looks the whole time.

While we waited for the rest, Phoebe wandered around the clearing, her fingertips brushing over the stones and trees, reading their memories or any trace of intruders other than us.

An hour later, Kyler, Karson, and Nathan finally arrived, striding directly toward the fissure. Their expressions were focused, almost drawn, as if the strange energy pulsing from the crack in the earth was calling to them.

The rest of us-Genesis, Phoebe, Noel, and I-watched in silence from a low stone nearby, the earlier rush of excitement having faded into a heavy calm.

I felt the weariness settle over me even deeper, the ache in my bones a constant reminder of how strained I'd been feeling.

I nearly collapsed with exhaustion an hour ago, and it had caused more of a stir than I'd intended, with Phoebe and Noel nervously mentioning that Ansel wouldn't take kindly to any harm coming to me.

Now, I could feel their watchful glances, but I stayed quiet, content to observe rather than speak.

It was no mystery why I felt so drained. My body was reminding me, not so subtly, that I hadn't been taking care of myself. I'd hardly eaten or slept yesterday, and today had been no better.

We'd spent most of the day here in the forest, with little time to rest or eat. And I could feel myself moving on sheer willpower.

The three of them stood at the edge of the fissure, staring down at the eerie blue and purple light pulsing from below, the glow sharper and more intense against the night shadows.

"I still can't believe my eyes." Nathan murmured, almost to himself.

"None of us can," Karson replied, stepping away from the edge and making his way toward us. Kyler was just behind him, glancing down at his phone as it buzzed.

"It's Ansel," Kyler said, his voice casual.

My stomach twisted.

When Genesis had started calling everyone, I'd asked her to leave Ansel for last-and to make sure he didn't know I was here.

I knew exactly how he'd react if he found out I'd come to Grimwood without telling him.

Genesis hadn't questioned me; she simply nodded, keeping my presence quiet. She remembered all too well what happened the last time we ventured into Wispwood, and I could sense she didn't want a repeat of that nightmare.

Our plan had been simple: scout the forest, gather some information, and leave before anyone noticed a thing. But we hadn't counted on stumbling across the Nexus itself.

"Hey, man," Kyler said as he answered the call. "When are you both going to arrive?"

I strained to hear Ansel's reply, watching as Kyler's brows drew together. "Okay..." he said slowly, listening carefully. "Yes. It's real. I still can't believe it either." He paused, nodding slightly before lowering the phone, glancing around at all of us. "Seems like Ansel and Ezra won't be here until early morning."