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“Yeah?”

“We may have… fed him to what we thought was a lake monster,” he says. “We didn’t start hearing those noises until we got near the lake.”

“He could have sensed that you were close and came out to investigate,” Dad says.

“Then all of the random fish that showed up earlier,” I laugh.

“That thing got the fish?” Striker asks.

“His name is Thuly,” I frown at him.

“God… You are just like Mom. She would have put a sweater on the thing already,” Striker says as he kneels beside Dad to pet Thuly.

“About that,” I say slowly. “When he stabbed me, and I was dying… I saw Mom.”

“You did?” Dad asks.

“Yeah. She basically told me that she’s always here and she’s waiting for me, but I wasn’t meant to die. I needed to fight. When I agreed to fight, she disappeared, and I woke up,” I explain. “She told me that you talk to her at night.”

His eyes well up with tears, so I know that it was actually Mom and not blood loss. “Yeah,” he says softly.

“She told me to tell everyone that she loves you and specified Leli as well,” I say.

“I wish I could remember her,” Leli says as she and Vash finally come closer. Dad puts his arm around Leli and hugs her.

“She seems happy,” I say. “When I lost consciousness, it felt peaceful. I think Mom is at peace too.”

“I hope so,” Striker says, sighing.

“Enough sadness,” I say. “I don’t think camping here for the night is a good idea,” I say.

“I agree,” Dad says. “It’s dark, but we should at least move a mile or two and set up again.”

“We should try to find some food, and soon,” I say. “Also, we should figure out what Thuly eats.”

“People,” Striker says.

“Well, besides people,” I laugh. “Dad, can you update everyone? Just… Leave out what they don’t need to know.”

“Okay,” he says with a smile. “I’m glad you’re okay, Lilith.”

“I’m glad the murderous otter was nearby,” Striker says.

“Be nice to your nephew,” I say with a smile.

“You’re insane, little sister,” he jokes as he stands up.

We are determined to move camp and pack up before we start walking again. Thuly stays by my side for the entire two-mile walk. Sometimes he moves away when one of the guys is beside me, then he walks in front of me as if he is keeping watch as we walk.

Once we find a suitable place to set up, we unload and get the tents back out. When we go to lay back down, Thuly purrs and curls up at my feet and falls asleep.

Chapter Twenty Five

Leli

Iamstandingbythe fire while everyone sets up camp again. I knew something was odd about that fog. When it first came on, it felt negative. I have a feeling that those fucking witches are going to keep causing problems.

I hear Vash come up behind me. Before I can turn, he grabs my waist and pulls me back into the woods before backing me against a tree. “Hi,” I say with a smile.