DREADFUL FIGHT

Kayson's POV

Where was April? We'd come so far, fought so hard... Ronan's eyes met mine, and I saw the same shock and confusion reflected back at me. "Where is she?" Ryder growled, his voice low and menacing. I shook my head, my mind racing. This couldn't be happening, we'd been so sure. We'd scouted the den, knew the guards' rotations, and had planned our attack to perfection. But now, April was nowhere to be found.

I took a deep breath, trying to think clearly. We couldn't give up now. We had to find her. "Search the den," I ordered, my voice firm. "She has to be here somewhere." Ronan and Ryder nodded, their faces set in determination. We split up, searching every nook and cranny of the den for the umpteenth time.

But as the minutes ticked by, my hope began to dwindle. Where was she? Had Winston moved her to a different location? I couldn't shake the feeling that we were running out of time. Suddenly, I heard a faint noise coming from deeper in the den. I froze, my ears perked up.