Chapter 35 Surge Of Energy

• When Damien, Brad Cole, and his sons — Anthony, Gregory, and Steven — arrived at the outskirts of the old hunting ruins, the air felt taut, like a string pulled tight. The night was unusually quiet; even the wind seemed to hold its breath. The moon broke through the clouds, illuminating ancient stones covered with moss and time, as if nature itself refused to witness what was about to come.
• Steven stood at a rock outcrop overlooking the northern slope. His hand gripped a radio, and his eyes didn’t leave the barely visible shadows below. He turned when he heard footsteps.
• “Damien, we’ve found signs of intruders,” he reported, approaching. His voice was calm but tinged with tension. “The perimeter is guarded, I’m observing restrained activity. Everything’s normal… for now.”