André awoke to the sound of birdsong filtering through the cabin windows. Sunlight streamed across his bed, casting warm patterns on the wooden floor. For a moment, he lay still, disoriented by the unfamiliar ceiling and the absence of his phone's usual alarm. Then the memories of yesterday returned—the drive, the lake, the campfire.
He turned to see Liam's bed already empty, neatly made as if the other boy had never slept there. The house was quiet, suggesting most of the others were still asleep. André checked his phone—7:30 AM—and found a dozen missed messages from Ken. He quickly scanned them, noting with relief that none required immediate attention. Most were updates on territory surveillance and inventory counts. The last message simply read: Handled the situation. Call when you can.
