RAVENNA

part 17

After nearly an hour of trudging through frostbitten terrain, they stumbled upon an old, shabby cabin, half-buried beneath ice and time. Its roof sagged under layers of snow, one side of the wall warped inward, and windows shattered long ago. It looked like it hadn't been touched in decades — probably one of the remnants from when a village still existed near the edge of these cursed land. Still, it was shelter.

They entered with heavy limbs, boots dragging against rotting wood. The air inside was musty, sharp with the scent of mold and dust, but it blocked the wind. For now, that was enough.

Everyone collapsed into action — not out of motivation, but desperation. They were cold, tired, hungry, disoriented. And above all, scared — not that any of them said it aloud. The first thing Marcus and Hamid did was check the corners and broken cupboards for anything useful. Firewood, if luck was on their side.

They found a few half-damp logs stacked near the fireplace — not much. Not enough to last the night.

Marcus muttered under his breath. "This won't hold us for long." Hamid glanced outside, jaw tight. "We'll have to get more. Risk it."

"Great," Sebastian said sarcastically from behind them. "Let's just walk into demon territory with a 'please maul me' sign."

Marcus ignored the jab and handed him a few twigs. "You stay. Guard the cabin. Cast protection spells around the perimeter. If anything even breathes too close, inform us."

"What an honor."

They left soon after, cloaks pulled tight, weapons ready. Outside was still, for now — but no one trusted the quiet.

Inside, Nieve and Eirene took charge, clearing a corner of the room to give everyone enough space to lie down. They swept aside broken wood and torn curtains, using what was still dry as padding for the floor.

In the middle of it all, Ali sat silently, legs drawn to his chest. The poor boy's teeth chattered faintly, but he never complained — not even when his stomach gave a loud, unmistakable grumble.

Nieve looked over.

Without a word, she pulled off her sling bag and began rummaging through it. Her fingers found  the crumpled wrapper she'd forgotten — a half-squashed granola bar she'd picked up back at the fair.

She moved toward Ali and held it out gently.

But before the bar could reach him—Victoria lunged.

"Is that food? she shrieked, reaching out. "Give it here! I haven't eaten since breakfast, and this nightmare is ruining my skin—"

But Nieve was faster. She drew her arm back and held the bar out of reach, her expression flat.

"It's for him." She nodded toward Ali. "He hasn't had anything all day."

Victoria scoffed, hands on her hips. "And how's that my fault? I'm hungry too! I faint when I'm not fed on time."

Sebastian let out a sharp sigh from the corner, where he'd just finished tracing ward symbols on the floor. He stood, walked over to Victoria, and — without a word — snatched her purse from the floor.

"Hey!" she screeched. "What do you think you're doing?"

He flipped the clasp open, tipped the contents onto the wooden floorboards. A compact mirror. A lipstick. A charm bracelet. A miniature perfume vial. Three crystal hairpins. Not a single edible item in sight.

Sebastian raised an eyebrow. "Incredible. We're stuck in an ice-blasted ruin, and you brought half a vanity set."

"Excuse me? My father is a lawyer. I will report you for this." Sebastian leaned in slightly, eyes glinting with mock innocence.

"Oh, I know exactly what kind of lawyer your father is." He gave a small, cruel smile. "And what kind of client he specializes in."

Victoria gasped, visibly fuming — but this time, she didn't say anything. Nieve crouched beside Ali, unwrapped the bar, and broke it gently into pieces, handing him half. His small fingers curled around it like it was the most precious thing in the world.

Marcus and Hamid returned with firewood—and a fish. How they managed to catch it, only they knew. They lit up the fireplace and roasted the fish. Without salt or pepper, it tasted bland, but they couldn't afford such luxuries now.

The door was barricaded with the remains of a broken bed. Soon, they drifted off to sleep—Ali curled up close to Nieve. Eirene, however, was irritated. Victoria kept grabbing her in her sleep, seeking warmth, clinging like a lost child.

The fire had burned low, now just embers and ash.

Through the silence came a soft sound—Nieve moaning in pain. She mumbled in her sleep, "Mumma... Mumma... she said I'm not good... Aunt Mu..."

Sebastian, who was still awake beside the fire, crawled toward her, trying to hear more clearly. But Marcus caught his movement and sharply gestured at him What are you doing?

Before Sebastian could answer, it happened. The roof tore apart with a violent crack, exposing the cold, starless night above.

They were under attack.

~

i know the chapter was short but it has the thing to keep you on edge.

how was the chapter? do comment below. 

Good night. sweet dreams