Grunt.
Sit.
The sound tore through the silence as Steve collapsed onto one of the cold rocks nestled deep within the interior of Cave.
A shaky hand rubbed across his face, dragging against the sweat-slicked skin and the crusted lines of dried blood and fatigue. On the outside, he looked composed—quiet, deliberate—but within, his thoughts were a roaring storm.
'I don't have the notebook.'
His jaw clenched. The realization slammed through him again, harder this time.
'… I left it. Back in the damned carriage.'
He let out a harsh breath, one hand running down his face again, slower this time.
'When the carriage stopped, I wasn't even thinking. After I saw the whole town of Mirrors had been turned to ash and broken glass.' His eyes darkened.
'It never even crossed my mind again...'
But now…
"I've done it before." he murmured, his voice low, just above a whisper.
