Chapter sixteen: I can feel it in the air tonight

*** Somewhere behind the barrier ***

The air feels thick with humidity tonight, the sky is filled with dark heavy clouds that seem to stretch endlessly across the horizon, creating a sense of anticipation I can’t quite place.

As the night settles in and the full moon rises to its peak, the wind begins to pick up, rustling through leaves and branches creating a haunting melody. The temperature starts to drop slightly but the air remains heavy with warmth. A sudden gust of wind sweeps through, causing the leaves to dance and twirl, as if in a frenzy.

from the distance a storm draws near, flashes of lightning illuminate the sky, momentarily turning night into day. Lightning bolts zigzag across the heavens, followed closely by the low grumble of thunder. Rain starts to drip down into my enclosure, at first in gentle droplets but turning into a torrential downpour within seconds.

The muddy streets become slick with water, reflecting the glow of a single lantern in the distance. The occasio