#Chapter 270: Takes a Village

Olivia The sharp rapping echoed through the room like a forewarning, pulling both Nathan and me from our preparations. The sound was almost out of place in the tranquil ambiance created by the dim, candlelit room. My fingers tightened around the backpack that I was holding, and our eyes met, a torrent of unspoken questions passing between us. Before we could answer any of them, the old wooden door groaned open, revealing Angela and Levi, their silhouettes framed by the dim light from the hallway. Angela’s usually gentle hazel eyes flashed with a mix of hurt and anger, while Levi’s tall form seemed to loom more prominently than ever. As they entered, the scent of night air and salt from the ocean emanating from their clothes, a familiar smell in our coastal town, wafted in. It reminded me of simpler times, playing on the beach, chasing after the gulls. But now, that moment was marred by the tension building in the room. Angela’s voice pierced the he