the last ember (5)

The darkness felt alive, filled with unseen predators lurking just beyond the edge of the light. Sam had heard stories of wildlife reclaiming areas abandoned by humans, and he knew the forest was not as empty as it seemed.

Suddenly, a low growl resonated from the darkness, freezing the family in place. Sam’s heart raced. “Stay close,” he whispered, the urgency thick in the air. Maya clutched Lily tightly, her eyes wide with fear. “What was that?”

“Probably just a fox,” Sam replied, trying to mask the tremor in his voice. But deep down, he felt the weight of something far more menacing watching them.