Chapter 108. Walking in Circles

Alison’s POV

The car came to a halt with a jarring lurch, shaking me out of my thoughts. The driver’s voice broke the heavy silence. “Here we are, Luna.”

I stared out the window at the desolate expanse before us. The Valley of Skulls. Its name alone sent shivers down my spine, and now, seeing it in person, it felt even worse. The place was barren, lifeless, as though even the wind had abandoned it.

Simone and I stepped out of the car, the crunch of gravel beneath our boots the only sound. The driver stayed put, his fingers drumming nervously on the steering wheel. I turned to him, my voice steady despite the rising dread in my chest. “Wait here. We’ll be back.”

He nodded but didn’t look me in the eye. His tension only added to the weight pressing down on me.

“Where do we even begin?” I muttered, turning to Simone as she rummaged through her bag.

She pulled out a worn map, its edges frayed from use. After studying it for a moment, she pointe