Leo moved his head slightly, revealing a fox staring at Jasper. Their paws rested on Jasper’s chest. Was this fox who he’d been seeking?
No. Definitely not.
Jasper knew it in his soul. He frowned. But he’d seen the fox, moments before he’d fallen. And then there’d been that shadow amongst the trees.
Jasper looked around.
“Are you all right?” Leo asked.
“I…”Am I?He hurt all over. But that wasn’t what was most bothering him. “Where is he?”
Leo blinked. “Where is who?” He turned towards the fox. “You mean this fox?”
“I— No. Someone else.” Jasper tried to sit up. Nausea rolled in his gut. He gritted his teeth.
Leo gripped his arm and helped him to sit. “Careful there. Don’t move too fast. That was a hell of a fall.”
Jasper opened his eyes. He looked up the side of the hill where he’d fallen. It had been a steep decline. Then the hill stopped completely, just above a pond of water. He’d free-fallen there and landed in the pond.
“I was in the water.” Jasper had tried to get out. Tried and been unable to. He’d inhaled the water. He’d drowned. Or almost drowned? Now he lay by the pond.
Someone saved me.Someone important.
Jasper tried to stand. His legs wobbled.
I need to find him. I have to get to him.
Leo wrapped an arm around his shoulder. “Take it easy. Move slowly.” Leo helped him stand. He stared at the pond. “How did you even get out of the water? You were just lying here unconscious and wet when I came upon you.”
“There was a—” Jasper hesitated. “I was rescued.”
Leo looked at him. Then at the fox. “Did the fox rescue you? Are they a shifter?”
“No. Not the fox.” Jasper shook his head. It throbbed. He tried to search his memories. But all he came back to was the certainty that someone had been with him. And he needed to find them!
Jasper took a step. He stumbled. Breathing heavily, he pressed his lips together and squeezed his eyes shut.
Leo steadied him. “Hey! Take it easy. You might have seriously injured yourself.”
With force, Jasper opened his eyes, squinting around. “Where is he? I need to find him!”
“Who?”
“I don’t know!” Jasper choked.
Leo stared at him. After a second, he spoke softly, “Let’s get you back home. We’ll find a healer. You’ll rest. Everything will be fine.” Jasper sensed that Leo was trying to reassure himself as much as he was Jasper.
Arm wrapped firmly around Jasper’s waist, Leo guided him back towards the city. They went the direct way this time.
“I was so terrified when I saw you fall.” Leo’s voice shook ever so slightly. “I couldn’t see a way to get to you without me tumbling down after you. I had to go back down the track and come around. But I couldn’t work out exactly where you’d fallen.” He exhaled. “I was so fucking scared, Jas.”
“I’m sorry,” Jasper said, but he kept looking around at the trees and shadows, searching for the someone who’d been there with him and rescued him. But why had they left him?
He’d hit his head as he’d tumbled down. So maybe he’d imagined it. But if someone had not rescued him, then how had he gotten out of the water?
No. Someone was there. Someone saved me. And I need to find that someone.
He was sure of that. Wasn’t he?
