The air inside the tent was still and quiet. Broken only by the faint sound of voices from far-off campfires outside.
Kyle stood over Lena's bedroll. Fingers brushing against the fabric as he carefully placed the earring back where he had found it.
His expression was calm, but his eyes were sharp. Focused and cold.
He exhaled slowly and straightened up.
'So I was right,' he thought.
He didn't smile. Not this time. There wasn't anything funny about it.
From the moment he had met Lena and Rook, something had felt off.
Their story had been... convenient. Too smooth. The timing. The vague memories.
Their explanation about the system message and how they "just ended up here."
It all lined up a little too well.
And now. He had proof.
A Red Legion communication artifact. Hidden in something as small and harmless-looking as an earring. Clever. Subtle. Almost perfect.
'Almost.'
He turned and stepped out of the tent, letting the flap fall quietly behind him.
