A Conspiracy of Silence
As they interacted more with the locals, the trio couldn’t shake off the feeling of a conspiracy of silence. The townsfolk shared glances that were too long, nods that were too knowing, and an air of caution that seemed out of place.
It was as though there was a communal pact to keep the river’s mysteries just that—a mystery. Caleb’s frustration grew; the town’s unspoken secret was a barrier they hadn’t anticipated, and it was as formidable as the river’s current.