C33 The Whisper in the Dark

The night pressed in around her. Every leaf seemed to hold its breath, every shadow sharpened against the silver spill of moonlight. Rachel’s grip tightened around the coin until its ridges bit her skin.

Then—

“Brave.”

The word drifted from the darkness, low and smooth, more like a caress than a threat.

Rachel spun toward the trees, her breath catching. Her eyes strained against the black