"Dylan, where are Aria and Lila?" Her voice trembled slightly as she scanned the empty campsite. The sun was sinking fast, pulling the shadows longer. "It's getting dark."
"They mentioned taking a walk around the area," Dylan replied, "Probably something they needed to talk about."
Ivy bit her lip, a flicker of unease passing through her. 
"Where are you going?" he asked, noticing the way Ivy was fidgeting with his jacket, already half-turned away from his.
"I'm going to find them," she said, determination lacing her voice.
"It's dangerous," a groggy voice interrupted. 
Ivy's brother was waking up, his eyes still heavy with whatever spell Lila had cast on him earlier. 
His gaze hardened as he realized the situation. "I'll go with you."
"Brother, I’m just going to check around. I won't go far," Ivy protested.
Her brother wasn’t convinced. "I'm coming with you," he insisted, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Ivy crossed her arms, sighing in defeat. "Fine... but don’t make a mess."
"You're the one who always make a mess." he shrugged.
They set off into the trees, the air thick with the impending nightfall. Ivy quickened her pace, feeling her brother's gaze burn into her back as he trailed close behind, like a shadow she couldn’t shake.
"Brother, I'm not going to get lost, you know. You’re staring too much," Ivy muttered.
Her eyes couldn’t help but flicker to the darkening path ahead, every rustle of leaves setting her nerves on edge.
"Alright, alright," he grumbled, his eyes darting to the darkening surroundings, the tension in his voice betraying his casual act.
Suddenly, Ivy paused, realizing the direction they were heading. 
The cliff loomed ahead, its edge barely visible in the dimming light. "Wait, we're heading towards the cliff. Be careful, you might—"
"Brother… even if I fall, the water will catch me," she whispered, though her voice wavered, the edge of fear creeping in.
"What good is it if the water catches you if you don’t know how to swim?" he snapped.
Ivy had never seen him so tense before, and it only made her heart pound harder.
As they approached the cliff, the wind picked up, carrying with it the distant sound of waves crashing against the rocks below. And with each step, Ivy couldn’t shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong.
Ivy rolled her eyes. "They taught me how to swi—"
Before she could finish, her brother's hand covered her mouth, silencing her words. With a swift motion, Ethan pulled her behind a large tree, their bodies pressed into the tall grass, hidden from view.
Ivy's heart raced, but she didn't resist, especially when she heard Aria's voice. Confusion clouded her mind and why were they hiding?
"Lila, I know you know something about what's happening. Tell me, I promise I won't tell anyone else," Aria's voice was pleading, almost desperate.
Ivy, now more curious than ever, removed Ethan's hand from her mouth, but before she could speak, he grasped her wrist, holding her back.
"In situations like this, it's crucial to stay alert," Ethan whispered, his breath warm against her ear. "People's true intentions often come out when they think no one’s watching."
Ivy hesitated, then cautiously peeked around the tree. She could barely make out Aria and Lila, their figures blurred in the night. Just as she leaned closer, Ethan gently pulled her back, keeping them hidden.
They had no choice but to listen.
"Why are you asking me, Aria?" Lila's voice was cool, measured. "I know you already know everything."
"So, you do know," Aria replied, laced with something darker.
"What do you really want? And why bring me here to talk?" Lila demanded.
Ivy and Ethan exchanged worried glances, then risked another peek. Aria's back was turned, but Lila’s eyes darted briefly toward their hiding spot. Ivy’s breath caught in her throat, Lila had seen them.
But Lila only smirked, a subtle curve of her lips, careful not to alert Aria to their presence.
"Isn't it you who caused Ivy to lose her balance and nearly drown?" Lila's voice rang out, clear and sharp.
Ivy's blood ran cold. The truth hit her like a punch to the gut.
"So what if it was me? Even if you tell her, she won’t believe you. She trusts me more than she’ll ever trust you."
Ivy instinctively moved to step out from their hiding place, fury and betrayal boiling inside her, but Ethan's grip tightened, his eyes fierce, silently warning her to stay put.
"Really?" Lila’s tone was mocking, almost amused. "If you say so."
A tense silence fell between them until Aria broke it, her voice low and menacing. "And do you know what they will believe?"
Lila's expression faltered, confusion flashing in her eyes.
"The ones chasing us will take you," Aria said, coldly. "Farewell, Lila."
Ivy's heart pounded in her chest as the weight of Aria's words settled in. Ethan’s grip remained firm, but she could see the conflict in his eyes, neither of them knew what would happen next.
Aria’s eyes glinted with a cold resolve as she shoved Lila off the cliff, pushed her toward the roaring currents below. The sound of crashing water drowned out Ivy’s gasp, her heart pounding in her chest as she clung to Ethan’s arm.
Ethan tightened his grip on her, refusing to let her reveal their hiding spot.
“What a waste... She was smart too,” Aria muttered to herself, her gaze fixed on the spot where Lila had disappeared. 
“If only you'd sided with me, this wouldn’t have happened to you.” She scanned the rushing water below, searching for any sign of Lila, but the current had swallowed her whole.
When Aria finally walked away, her footsteps fading into the distance, Ivy turned on her brother, her eyes blazing with fury.
“Are you out of your mind, Brother? We could have stopped that! Did you let it happen because you were mad at her?” Ivy’s voice trembled with anger and disbelief.
Ethan met her gaze calmly, a hint of something unreadable in his eyes. “Do you really think Lila is that weak?”
Ivy didn’t hesitate. She rushed to the edge of the cliff, peering down at the splashing waters that raged below. There was nothing, no sign of Lila, just the relentless force of the current.
“What do you mean? The water is strong,” Ivy said.
Ethan’s lips curled into a knowing grin. “Well... because she’s stubborn.”
Ivy spun around, her confusion growing. “The way you talk, it’s like you’ve known her for a long time, Brother.”
Ethan’s grin widened. “Didn’t she tell you everything?”
A tense silence fell between them, the air heavy with unspoken words. Ivy’s mind raced, questions swirling in her thoughts, but she couldn’t bring herself to voice them.
Finally, Ethan sighed, breaking the silence. “The woman who said there was a way to heal you... was Lila’s mother. That’s why she’s been trying to make it up to you.”
Ivy’s eyes widened in shock, the revelation hitting her like a bolt of lightning. “Brother... how?”
“How?”
“How can you talk to her, look at her, be with her? If—” Ivy’s voice cracked, tears welling up in her eyes as the weight of everything came crashing down.
Ethan gently patted her head, his touch softening as he noticed the tears streaming down her cheeks. 
“We can’t control everything that happens, Ivy. But we can still do something, finish what they started.”
Unable to hold back any longer, Ivy threw her arms around her brother, hugging him tightly. She hadn’t realized just how much pain and burden he had been carrying since that fateful day.