The cavern's collapse roared like a beast, hurling Caleb, Lila, Ethan, and Jenny through that jagged exit, slamming them onto cracked cobblestones under a blood-red moon. Caleb hit the ground hard, the charm slipping, his fingers scrambling to grab it as his chest heaved with panic.
"We… we made it?" he gasped, his voice breaking, tears stinging his eyes as the cavern's screams echoed in his head. Lila rolled to her knees, her red hair a matted mess, slime dripping off her face. "Barely," she muttered, her voice rough with exhaustion, her hands shaking as she wiped her eyes.
Ethan sprawled nearby, groaning, his leg bruised and throbbing. "I thought we were goners," he whispered, his usual bravado gone, replaced by a shaky fear that made his lip quiver. Jenny landed beside Caleb, her shoulder a bloody wreck, her face pale and twisted with pain."It hurts… so bad," she sobbed, her voice a raw cry, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clutched him. Caleb pulled her close, his own terror bubbling up. "We got you, Jen—I swear," he said, his voice cracking, his arms trembling as he held her tight.
The air stank of damp rot, the ruins of old Cloverton looming with hollowed houses, their broken windows like dead eyes staring. Caleb's stomach churned as he helped Jenny up, his legs wobbly, guilt gnawing at him. "We need to find help," he said, his voice thick with worry. Lila nodded, scanning the shadows, her guard up. "Yeah, but this place feels wrong. We can't let it—"
A rustle cut her off, and Caleb froze, hand on the charm. A skinny girl stepped out from behind a ruin, her big eyes wide with nerves, clutching a tattered bag. "You… you came from the pit?" she asked, her voice shaky, almost too quiet. Caleb tensed, stepping in front of Jenny. "Who are you? Back off!" he barked, his fear flaring. Lila narrowed her eyes, grabbing a rock. "Yeah, talk fast. Why're you here?" she snapped, her tone icy.
The girl flinched, hugging her bag tighter. "I'm Tara. I scavenge these ruins. Saw your light—thought you might need… I don't know, something?" Her words stumbled, and Ethan glared, pushing up despite the pain. "Need something? We just escaped hell—why should we trust you?" he growled, his voice sharp with distrust. Tara shrank back, her face paling. "I… I don't want trouble. There's a well nearby—people say it knows stuff. That's it!"
Jenny groaned, leaning on Caleb, her tears mixing with bitterness. "A well? Another creepy trap? I don't buy it," she muttered, her pain making her voice harsh. Caleb met Lila's gaze, his gut twisting. "We're too beat up for this," he said, his voice low. Lila nodded, her jaw tight. "Keep your distance, Tara. Show us that well, but one slip, and you're out." Tara nodded quick, her hands shaking, and started walking, the group trailing warily, the ruins whispering like a threat. Caleb's fear deepened—could Tara be another danger, or just another lost soul?