The well loomed ahead, a mossy stone circle with a green glow pulsing from its depths, mist curling up like cold fingers grabbing at the air. Caleb's skin crawled as they approached, the charm warming up again, tugging at his chest like a bad omen. Jenny leaned on him, her steps dragging, her face a wreck of pain and tears. "Caleb… I can't keep going," she whispered, her voice breaking, her sobs shaking her frame. He held her tighter, his own fear choking him. "Just a little more, Jen—please, you gotta hold on," he pleaded, his voice rough, tears burning his eyes.
Lila walked stiffly ahead, her eyes locked on the well, her hands clenched into fists. "This better not be another dead end," she muttered, her tone sharp with frustration, her breath uneven. Ethan limped beside her, his leg aching, his face dark with suspicion as he glared at Tara. "You sure about this well, Tara? 'Cause I'm done with surprises," he snapped, his voice edged with anger, his hands balled tight. Tara shrank back, her bag clutched to her chest, her big eyes darting nervously. "I-I've seen it glow! It whispered once—about a map. That's all I know!" she stammered, her fear thick, her voice quivering.
Caleb frowned, his gut twisting. "A map? Where to?" he asked, his voice cold, his trust worn thin. Tara shuffled her feet, avoiding his gaze. "The Witch's Hamlet, I think. But it scared me, so I ran," she mumbled, "witch hamlet? How does she know about anything related to witches"her words hesitant. Lila snorted, crossing her arms. "Convenient story. How do we know you ain't lying?" she shot back, her suspicion hard as stone. Tara's shoulders hunched, her voice small. "I'm not! I've been out here alone—why would I lie about that?" Her plea trembled, but Caleb just shook his head. "Alone don't mean safe," he said, his voice low, his eyes narrowing.
The well hummed louder, the glow flaring, and Jenny gasped, clutching her wound tighter. "Something's wrong—please, make it stop!" she cried, her pain turning to panic. A shadow hand shot up, grabbing Tara's wrist, and she screamed, "Help me!" Caleb froze, his fear screaming to run, but Lila lunged, yanking Tara back with a grunt. "Get off her, you freak!" she yelled, and the charm flared, burning the hand away. Tara collapsed, sobbing, her bag spilling junk. "I didn't mean to!" she wailed, her tears real but met with cold stares.
Ethan kicked the ground, furious. "Told you—she's bad news!" he roared. Caleb knelt by Jenny, his hands shaking. "We can't trust her yet," he muttered, his voice heavy with doubt. The well's glow faded, leaving a faint map outline—twisted paths glowing soft. Lila stared, her resolve hardening. "It's real. But we're watching you, Tara," she said, her glare piercing. Tara wiped her eyes, nodding weakly, but the group's distrust hung thick.
A growl echoed, and Caleb's heart sank. "It's close," he whispered, his fear spiking. Jenny leaned on him, her tears silent now. "I hate this place," she murmured, her voice a broken thread. Lila picked up a rock, her jaw tight. "Then we move. Tara, lead—slow, and no tricks." Tara nodded, her steps shaky, the group following at a tense distance, the moon's shadows twisting around them. Caleb's mind raced—was Tara a threat, or just as scared as they were? The uncertainty gnawed, pulling them deeper into the dark.