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I move toward the porch slowly, every muscle already locked and alert, my hand settling automatically near the knife strapped beneath my jacket.

“Nora.” My voice stays low. Controlled. “Get back in the truck.”

“What if someone’s still inside?”

“They won’t be for long.”

“That’s not reassuring.”

“It’s not supposed to be.”

She glares at me but doesn’t move, following two steps behind anyway while I push the door open fully.

The cabin’s destroyed.

Drawers dumped across the floor.

Couch cushions slashed open.

Kitchen cabinets hanging wide.

Her camera equipment scattered everywhere like someone searched every inch of the place looking for something specific.

Or trying to scare her.

Judging by the sharp inhale behind me, they succeeded.

“Oh my God.”

I sweep the room quickly, checking corners, windows, blind spots.

Empty.

But fresh.

The place still smells like cold air and wet dirt.

Someone was here recently.

Nora steps carefully inside, staring at the mess while her breathing turns uneven. “They went through everything.”

“Yeah.”

“My laptop…”

I spot it overturned near the couch.

Screen shattered.

“Damn it.” She rushes forward, dropping beside it. “Damn it.”

I crouch near the busted front lock instead, studying the splintered wood around the frame.

Forced entry.

Clean.

Quick.