ISLAND OF DESIRE: REJECTED HEIRESS
“We go close together. No one runs ahead. That place is called the Valley of Echoes. It shows you what you want to see even if it is a lie.”
We got ready fast. We took torches, water, small food, and strong sticks. We walked in a tight group: Kael first, me in the middle, Alexus last, everyone else close side by side.
As soon as we crossed into the valley, everything felt wrong.
Trees grew tall and twisted like people standing still. Roots curled up like snakes. Mist was so thick I could barely see the friend in front of me. The air smelled old and cold.
Every sound came back twice our steps, our breath, the wind. It was hard to know what was real.