The screams faded behind them, swallowed by the wind.The truck rolled steadily down the narrow valley road, its engine a dull growl beneath the weight of silence. Every bump in the asphalt felt heavier now, like the land itself was holding its breath.
Riku kept both hands on the wheel, eyes locked forward. He hadn't said a word in nearly an hour. The faint tension in his jaw told Suzune he was still replaying the rail yard in his head—the horde, the creature, the woman's broken face.
Hana sat quietly in the back, watching the gray world pass outside her window. The stuffed rabbit lay limp in her arms, its fur dirty from travel.
Ichika broke the silence first. "You think they'll stop following us?"
"No," Riku said.
Suzune adjusted the rifle across her lap. "They're moving faster now. It's like they know where we're headed."
Ichika glanced at her. "You saying they're herding us?"
"Or someone's herding them," Suzune replied.
