Chapter 19

*BRIANNE’S POV*

The girls chatter filled the air as we made our way through the woods, their excitement for the party or gathering was palpable.

As we walked further into the woods, the trees grew taller and the shadows deepened. My unease began to creep back in, but the girls kept chatting and laughing, distracting me from my worries and putting my mind at ease…a little bit.

Suddenly, they stopped at a clearing—an empty space. I expected to see a crowd of people, music, and lights, but no one was there.

Where was everybody?

I turned to the girls, my confusion and concern evident. “where is everybody?” I asked, my voice croaked with a hint of unease.

“Surprise!” Sophia exclaimed as she ran childishly to the middle of the open space.

I watched her with confusion etched on my face. What surprise? They brought me all the way for this?

“I thought you said everybody was going to be here,” I said again, trying to get answers from them. My instincts were starting to scream warning but I didn