(Time-Stilled World, 5 Kilometers into the Forest of Death – Team B)
"I lost her. I lost Patricia."
Karl's voice came out broken and frantic, as he began hyperventilating like a tired dog.
"Keep your voice down," Raiden replied immediately, one hand stretched out, palm raised in caution, as he tried to peer through the ever-thickening fog.
"I had her wrist! I did! But she just—she let go or I slipped—I don't know—"
"Breathe," Raiden said, voice calm but stern. "Nobody moves, we stay right here. If they're nearby, they'll find us."
Cipher didn't say anything at first, but his eyes flicked sideways, scanning the dense mist swirling just centimetres from their night vision goggles, his expression unreadable.
Seconds passed. Then minutes.
Still nothing major happened, there was no movement in their surroundings, and no signs of Leo, Patricia, or Bob.
The silence in the air dragged longer than any of them liked, as eventually, it was Cipher that shifted his stance.
