Chapter 56

• Rowan, after a thorough check, found a single, crumpled piece of paper nestled amidst the glass fragments. It was a simple, stark white note, devoid of any flourish, any hint of artistry, a stark contrast to the beautiful surroundings. He carefully retrieved it, his fingers brushing against the jagged edges of the glass, his touch cautious and deliberate. He smoothed the note out, the crisp white paper now a source of both intrigue and dread.
• The note contained only a single word: “Prepare.” The word hung heavy in the air, an ominous warning, a promise of something far more sinister to come. The simplicity of the message intensified the threat, the lack of explanation increasing the palpable sense of foreboding. It was a message that spoke volumes, a cryptic warning hinting at a larger, more dangerous plot.
• The sense of dread that had begun to settle over Cleo intensified, solidifying into a chilling certainty. Their peaceful existence had been disrupted, their carefully constructed sanctuary compromised. The threat was real, palpable, and far more ominous than anything they had faced before. The fragile peace they had worked so hard to build had been shattered, leaving them vulnerable, exposed, and facing an unknown, but undoubtedly dangerous, future.