Lyla

One Day To Lyla's Birthday

Lyla POV:

The dimly lit panic room was a heavy canvas of panic, anxiety, and raw emotion. Everywhere I looked, women, children, and the elderly were a blur of frightened faces and tearful eyes. While the room's walls were layered with ancient spells and state-of-the-art materials meant for protection, they felt oppressive, trapping us away from our loved ones outside.

For a brief moment, hope ignited within me as I thought I glimpsed the familiar shapes of Lars and the triplets among the crowd. But as I approached, my heart sank; the resemblance was mere coincidence. My brothers were on the other side of those walls. A wave of helplessness washed over me, leaving a bitter taste in my mouth.

The somber quietude of the panic room was a stark contrast to the chaos I imagined beyond its walls. That quiet was soon shattered by another deafening explosion. The room shook, lights flickered, and a cascade of dust poured from the ceiling. Panic spread like wildfire;