Page 28 of Outcast Fae

We paused and waited, apprehension building in my chest. When Elon had asked for water yesterday, we were given a murderous squid. I didn’t think it was a good idea to request anything from our captors. We were better off fending for ourselves. Gratefully, this time, Meadow Song and Silver Bear didn’t offer us any help.

After we made our way back to where we had eaten our breakfast, we veered “left.”

“Why don’t we call that west?” The sun had risen from the opposite direction, so the “left” was, in fact, west, but I didn’t want to hurt Daniella’s feelings by pointing out her lack of perception.

“Sounds good to me,” she said.

So, we headed west, trekking through thick vegetation, all of us picking up walking sticks like Daniella’s to beat back the brush.

Mosquitos buzzed in our ears, and the sun beat on our faces as we went across the narrow valley that separated us from the rocky hills in the distance.

It took us the better part of an hour to reach our destination. To my relief, the area turned out to be perfect for a safe campground.

“Is that a cave?” Wally pointed towards a rocky section etched on the face of one of the nearest mounds.

When we got there, we found that it wasn’t a true cave but a hollow with a tall-enough ceiling to fit a person upright.

“It’s perfect,” I said, a smile spreading over my face.

I rushed forward, relief washing over me. Here, we could be safe and the ledge that protruded from the hill would provide us with shelter from rain and the elements. There was enough space for all of us to sleep comfortably, and many rocks and boulders that we could put to good use as furniture.

“It’s great,” Daniella said, glancing around.

Elon pushed air through his nose. “What’s so great about it? I wanna go back home.” He stood off to the side, staring toward the small valley below and rubbing the knot on his head.

If I had to guess, I would say he’d had a pampered upbringing. I would not waste my time on him trying to make him feel better. We had a camp to prepare.

“We should gather wood for a fire, for warmth at night and for cooking,” I said. “Also, we could gather some leaves to make beds.”

Daniella smiled up at me, looking more at ease, less scared. I nodded and returned her smile reassuringly.

“What the…?” Elon said.

Wally turned and walked up to him. “Wait, is that… Vaughn?”

“Shit,” Elon said. “I think he’s hurt.”

The males took off down the hillside. Daniella and I exchanged worried glances, then ran to the edge of the shallow cave. Wally reached Vaughn first and caught him in his arms as Vaughn’s legs gave out. When Elon got there, they flanked him on either side, slung his arms over their shoulders, and with difficulty, dragged his heavy frame up the hill.

I glanced around, then began clearing a spot, flinging rocks and dead branches aside.

“Lay him there,” I said as the males reached us.

They did, pulling back and staring at Vaughn’s limp shape in confusion. He was groaning as if someone were torturing him, his head thrown back, his face twisted unrecognizably. Sweat covered his face, matting wild curls to his forehead.

“What’s wrong with him?” Wally asked.

I shook my head. He didn’t seem to be injured, but he was clearly in a lot of pain.

Clenching his teeth, Vaughn reached toward his ankle. The pain was so bad, he couldn’t even talk.

“Check him,” Elon said, giving Wally a push.

Wally shook his head as if afraid that whateverwas causing Vaughn’s pain was contagious. I rolled my eyes. Would they always leave the saving up to me?

As much as I enjoyed seeing him in pain, I approached Vaughn, holding my hands up. There was something wild about his expression that warned me to be cautious.

“I’m going to check your leg,” I said.