46. Creeping Shadows

The mountain loomed ahead, shrouded in mist, its jagged peaks a foreboding silhouette against the gray sky. The closer they got, the more terrifying the landscape became. Swan’s voice suddenly cut through the tension, a piercing scream that made both Emric and Jayden jump. “Stop!” she yelled, her lungs straining with urgency. Emric slammed the brakes, the jeep screeching as it skidded across the frosted ground. The tires spun helplessly, the momentum dragging them closer to the edge. For a heart-stopping moment, it felt as if they would tumble into the abyss. The mist obscured everything below, but the faint sound of rushing water hinted at the drop’s deadly promise. Finally, taking a sharp turn, the jeep came to a halt, its tires on the right just at the edge of the dead-end. Jayden clutched the dashboard, his knuckles white. Swan exhaled sharply, her hands braced against the window, while Emric let out a low, shaky whistle. “That was close,” Emric muttered, his voice rough with relie