Donna approached Father Khatri. The commotion surrounding the radio had left no room for anyone to ask about the forest until now.
"So?" She leaned against the wall. "How are the two of them?"
Khatri sighed, a small gesture that already told half the story. "The girl's boyfriend... he didn't make it. The other young man was taken to the clinic. Kelly stayed at the church with Kenny."
He didn't go into detail about how Brian had died. It didn't seem like the right time, and Donna, from experience, knew that certain things couldn't be discussed in public.
Nearby, some of the newcomers who had overheard the conversation gasped, shocked by the news of yet another death.
The older residents, however, barely reacted. Mourning in the town had already become a numbing routine, just another Tuesday in their own private hell.
The rain began to weaken until it finally stopped. Slowly, people started filing outside, raising their eyes to the sky, where, inexplicably, not a single dark cloud remained. Sunlight began spreading across the soaked ground.
Jim and Jade, assisted by three other men, struggled with the weight of the massive antenna that, by some miracle, was still hanging precariously from the side of the house.
The slippery mud made every movement more difficult, but they seemed determined to bring the structure down.
Without saying a word, Donna descended the porch steps and hurried toward the garden, but stopped as soon as she reached the field.
The crops were practically destroyed. Entire rows of vegetables had been torn out by the force of the water and scattered across the ground, mixed with the thick mud that covered everything like a brown sheet.
Some tomato plants floated in small puddles, while others were partially buried, barely recognizable beneath the dirt.
Donna raised a hand to her forehead, her fingers trembling slightly.
Even so, she didn't allow herself to stand there for long. She crouched down and tried to rescue a head of lettuce half buried in the mud, only to discover as soon as she pulled it free that its roots had already been torn from the soil.
Khatri approached from behind, carefully making his way through the muddy ground. Before reaching Donna, he had stopped to confirm with a few residents that, fortunately, no one intended to enter the flooded forest at that moment. At least that concern could wait.
"Is it as bad as it looks?"
Donna stood, wiped her dirty hands against her pants, and spent a few seconds assessing the damage before answering. "Maybe we can still salvage some of it if we're quick." Her gaze swept across the garden until she found one of the residents. "You, get a wheelbarrow. And ask someone to bring a few buckets of water. We need to wash the vegetables before this mud makes everything rot."
The man immediately got to work while Donna returned to inspecting the garden.
Khatri waited until they were a few steps away from the others before calling her into a more private conversation. "I'm going to talk to Boyd about the residents wanting to explore the forest." He hesitated for a moment. "But first, you need to know what happened out there."
Khatri then told her about the sacrificial altar among the ruins, the iron rods piercing the bodies of the two men, and the cave that had appeared in that place.
Donna listened without interrupting, her expression growing more somber with every new piece of information.
When the priest finished, she remained silent for a few moments, her attention fixed on the ruined garden, as though it were simply more proof that this place never gave them enough time to breathe before taking something else away.
"This town really loves choosing the worst possible time to take even more from us." Donna let out a heavy sigh and finally looked back at him. "Go talk to Boyd. I'll take care of this."
…
When the end credits began rolling across the screen, Daniel reached for the remote and lowered the volume.
Through the window, he noticed that the rain had finally stopped and Colony House was beginning to come alive again. Locals crossed the soaked lawn while muffled voices drifted in from a distance.
"Wanna learn how to drive now?" he asked, turning toward Julie.
"Seriously? Now?" Her expression lit up as she started straightening herself. "Yeah. Absolutely."
Before the two of them could get up, three knocks sounded at the door.
Julie went over and opened it, her hair still slightly messy after spending most of her time lying on the mattress.
Tabitha stood on the other side.
"Are you two okay?" She looked her daughter up and down.
"Yeah, we're fine." Julie awkwardly fixed her hair, remembering the argument they'd had earlier. "We saw everything on the camera. What happened that made the sheriff rush out like that in the middle of the storm?"
"All the lamps exploded at the same time. A piece of glass ended up getting into Clara's eye." Tabitha tapped her fingers against her arm, still bothered by the incident. "Your father thinks it must have been some kind of electrical discharge caused by the power they connected to the tower."
"Did anyone else get hurt?"
"Nothing serious. Just a few superficial cuts."
"That's good." Julie slowly exhaled.
Over her mother's shoulder, she watched her father in the yard, busy removing the antenna.
Tabitha followed her daughter's gaze, and her expression hardened almost imperceptibly.
"I still haven't told him about the gun," she said quietly. "But you know I can't keep it from him."
Then her eyes shifted toward Daniel. The unfriendly expression made it clear that the warning was directed at him as well, even though no further words were necessary.
Daniel wasn't bothered. He knew Tabitha was only trying to protect her daughter, so he chose not to say anything.
"I'd better get going. Ethan's with Fatima," Tabitha said, breaking eye contact. Before walking away, she added, "And please, don't get yourselves into any trouble."
As soon as the door closed, Julie turned to Daniel, still tense.
He noticed her anxiety before she even had to say anything and nodded toward the cab.
"Let's go. When your father finds out about the pistol, we'll sit down and have a talk with him. Until then, we've got a several-ton vehicle for you to learn how to drive."
She nodded, but gave him a nervous smile that showed just how worried she was.
Sitting in the driver's seat, Julie ran her fingers over the leather steering wheel, examining the controls with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
Daniel leaned over beside her, one arm resting on the back of the seat as he pointed toward the pedals.
"It's automatic, so forget everything you've ever seen about a clutch." He lightly tapped her left knee. "This foot stays still, resting over there on the side, and nowhere else. Only the right one works."
He moved his own foot through the air, alternating between two imaginary points. "Brake and accelerator, both with the same foot. Keep your heel planted on the floor and pivot your foot between the two pedals. That way you won't mix them up in a panic."
Julie nodded and adjusted the seat.
The first attempt was a disaster. As soon as she took her foot off the brake, she pressed the accelerator far too hard out of sheer panic, and the motorhome lurched forward.
"Brake, brake," Daniel warned, firm but without raising his voice.
Julie slammed her foot onto the brake, and the vehicle stopped abruptly, the seat belt locking against her chest.
"Sorry!"
"That's normal. Nobody is born knowing the difference between pressing and stomping."
She kept trying.
By the third attempt, she managed to find a steadier rhythm. Daniel remained alert beside her, ready to take control if necessary, but let her drive on her own.
For nearly a hundred meters, the vehicle moved slowly and without any major scares.
"See?" Satisfaction appeared on her face, even though she remained focused on the road ahead. "I was born for this."
"You almost drove off the road thirty seconds ago."
"Details."
Daniel shook his head, suppressing a smile. At least she had confidence. Maybe too much confidence.
Then a figure appeared farther ahead, walking along the edge of the flooded road. Khatri was struggling forward, his shoes sinking into the mud with every step.
Julie slowed down and braked, a little more abruptly than necessary, making the motorhome jolt slightly.
Daniel rolled down the window.
"Need a ride, Father?"
Khatri answered with a grateful nod before approaching. As soon as he climbed in, he took off his muddy shoes and set them aside.
"Thank you. A few more minutes and I probably would've needed a rescue team to get out of here."
Julie resumed driving, now with much more care, while Khatri settled into the seat behind them.
For a few moments, no one said anything. The steady hum of the engine filled the vehicle until the priest leaned slightly forward.
"Can I ask you something? What do you two make of this whole cave situation?"
"To me, it's just another way for this town to mess with people. I don't believe for a second that voice on the radio was real." Daniel gave his opinion.
"Neither do I." Julie tightened her grip slightly on the steering wheel. "Especially if that voice was talking about the cave in the ruins. That place is creepy enough without someone deciding to go in there looking for a way out."
Khatri leaned back in his seat, letting out a quiet sigh. There was a certain relief in realizing he wasn't the only one suspicious of the situation.
"That's exactly what I think. I'll talk to Boyd as soon as we get there. I just ask that you don't tell anyone where the cave is."
The request was made cautiously, especially because he knew how unpredictable Daniel could be.
The young man didn't answer immediately, merely exchanging a brief glance with Julie. For the priest, that would probably have to be enough.
A short while later, the vehicle stopped in front of the clinic. Khatri thanked them for the ride, put his shoes back on, and got out.
Julie waited until he had moved away before continuing down the road, while the priest quickened his pace toward the entrance.
…
Inside the clinic, Boyd was preparing to escort Clara back to Colony House.
A thick bandage covered much of her face, but her tired yet relieved expression made it clear that the injury had been far less serious than it could have been.
"What's the situation?" Khatri asked as soon as he entered, his attention drawn to the bandage.
Kristi answered while checking the last few details.
"She was lucky. The glass only hit the side of her eye and didn't cause any serious damage. She just needs to keep the bandage on for a few days and use the eye drops three times a day."
"I'm fine, Father." Clara tried to smile, more concerned with reassuring everyone than hiding her own discomfort. "I'm just gonna look like a pirate for a while."
Khatri returned the smile, although the tension in his face remained.
"I have something serious to discuss with you, Boyd."
Clara noticed the change in the atmosphere and didn't insist on staying. "I'm heading out." After giving Kristi's arm a light squeeze in thanks, she left.
Khatri waited until her footsteps disappeared down the hallway before turning back to Boyd.
"Have you already told them what happened at Colony House?"
"I have." Boyd crossed his arms, his expression remaining grim. "They both know."
The priest nodded.
"The residents are determined to enter the forest in search of this cave. I heard people forming hunting parties, comparing possible routes, and discussing how to get there."
Marielle, who remained seated at the back of the room, raised her eyes.
"And what exactly is the problem? Wasn't this the lead you've been looking for all this time? A possible way out, confirmed by someone from outside?"
Kristi frowned. "Maybe it's not a good idea. We don't know anything about that place."
"Why not?" Marielle countered, now more firmly. "You've been trapped here for years, and the first time someone from outside provides a concrete lead, the answer is to back off?"
Khatri chose his words carefully.
"Because not everything that looks like a way out actually is one. This town has proven time and time again that it knows exactly how to turn hope into bait."
The silence that followed was heavy. Boyd remained still for a moment, his gaze fixed on the floor as he weighed Khatri's words.
When he finally raised his head, the determination in his eyes was something the priest knew well.
"I'm going into that cave."
"I don't think that's a good idea, Boyd," the priest said.
"Marielle is right." The sheriff's voice remained firm. "It's the closest we've come to finding a way out."
Khatri opened his mouth to argue, but Boyd continued before he could.
"People need answers. If I don't go there and find out whether that place is safe or a trap, they'll go in on their own. And I'm not going to let that happen."
What he didn't say was that there was another reason behind his decision. The tremors were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore, and he knew his condition wouldn't give him unlimited time.
If that cave truly held an answer, perhaps he couldn't afford to wait for a better opportunity.
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