Chapter 13: The Walls That Whisper

John concentrated on his own work, his mouth clenched in a determined line. He would practice, perfecting his fighting techniques in case he was faced with a conflict. The prospect of confronting his own parents and discovering that their treachery was real lingered in the background, but he ignored the idea. For Marie, the mission, and himself, he had to be strong. There was tension in the safe home, a mixture of desperation, terror, and a developing feeling of unanimity. John and Marie were brought together by their circumstances and sought solace in one another's company. His calm courage and unshakable faith in her provided comfort throughout the storm. A quiet question lingered in the air as they exchanged a quick look across the room: were they just comrades brought together by circumstance, or was something more developing between them? But the response would have to wait. For the time being, finding John and discovering the Phoenix Stone's mysteries came first. The days tha