Page 26 of Outcast Fae

“Oh, God, was that Elon?” Daniella asked.

Forgetting all caution, I ran forward, leaping over a fallen log and pushing branches out of the way.

“Wait for me!” Daniella cried out behind me.

I didn’t look back. I simply ran, imagining Elon dead and Meadow Song blaming us for it, forcing us to stay here for the rest of our lives.

Through a tangle of bushes, I noticed movement. Coming to an abrupt stop, I peered through the thick leaves. My heart thudded in my chest. A sharp scent pierced my senses. I squinted, trying to make out the figure that occupied the clearing ahead. Someone was squatting over a fallen figure.

Was that Wally?

A moment later, Daniella came trampling behind me.

“Who’s there?” the figure lifted his head and glanced in our direction, a panicked expression in his eyes. ItwasWally.

“Wally?! Are you okay?” Daniella asked between breathless panting.

“Daniella?” Wally stood, peering through the trees.

Without thinking, she ran forward.

I tried to grab her hand but missed it. “Wait!”

She’d clearly forgotten about being cautious. With a sigh, I went after her. She broke into the clearing, then came to a sudden stop.

At Wally’s feet, Elon moaned, sitting up. “What the hell was that?” He rubbed the knot that was starting to form on his forehead.

“What happened? And where is Vaughn?” Daniella asked, her eyes running over the clearing.

“He… he took off after that…thing,” Wally said, pointing toward an elephant-sized section of flattened brush and broken branches..

“What thing?” I asked, wrinkling my nose at the pungent, animal scent that was much worse here.

“The thing that knocked me out,” Elon said, wobbling to his feet.

“Did you get a good look at it?” Wally asked.

“No. You?”

Wally shook his head. “It moved too fast. All I know is that it was huge.”

“And you all went after it? And Vaughnkeptfollowing it? Idiots.” Daniella raked a hand into her dark hair.

Wally blew up his cheeks, then let out a stream of air. “The dude is insane. He’s so badass.”

Badass? Was that supposed to be a compliment of some kind? I was still getting used to these humans’ vocabulary, and sometimes the words they used were simply baffling.

While the others went on about Vaughn, I examined the clearing. The ground was disturbed as if there had been a struggle. There were many boot prints, and they didn’t appear to be the same as ours. I stamped my foot next to one of them, then removed it to compare. Yes, the imprints were different from the boots they had given us, though I couldn’t tell if they belonged to one person or more.

I squatted and traced another print, one that was much different. It didn’t belong to a human but an animal.

It was huge—three times the size of mine—and in a shape I didn’t recognize.

“Do any of you know what type of animal could have made this?” I asked, unable to tear my eyes away from the print.

The others stepped closer and glanced over my shoulder. I moved out of the way to allow them a better view. Elon shook his head. Wally and Daniella, too. They had no idea.

“What about that awful scent?” I said, pointing my nose upward and inhaling.