Her light caught on something, and she stopped mid-step. Atop the old shed, a massive nest sprawled across the sagging roof—an untidy fortress of branches, straw, and snapped twigs. It looked ancient, as though the wood itself had given rise to it. Samantha’s voice cracked. “Alex,” she whispered, pointing. “There.”
They approached together, eyes locked on the roof. The shed groaned under the weight, but held. Without hesitation, Alex stepped forward, scanning the walls for anything that could be used to climb. Samantha stood back, barely breathing, her pulse roaring in her ears as anticipation coiled tight inside her.