Hayley's POV

As Aiden and I closed the gap between us, the forest folded over me in a thick blanket that threatened to suffocate me. Clara’s confessions lingered in my thoughts, and I took his hand even tighter than before for comfort. The path meandered, a narrow one with the entire canopy overhead, allowing occasional streaks of sun to plummet in eerie, dappled shadows through dancing curtains of slow motion mist.

For awhile, we just walked in silence, losing ourselves in our own thoughts. At the end, I spoke, and my voice wavered a little.

"Aiden, you think we are right? By going back to the pack and facing Rachel?...