"Crime?" he scoffed, his laugh hollow. "This whole world is a crime, lady. I'm just playing the game."
"What game?" I shot back. "You think this is a game?"
"Everything's a game." He looked away.
"Karma doesn't play games," I told him, my tone darkening. "It comes back around. And after what you've done..."
He glanced at me, pain etched across his face. "Karma?" He laughed bitterly. "Karma hit me the moment I set foot in these woods. It's been downhill ever since."
"Downhill doesn't begin to cover it for you," I said. My hands clenched into fists at my sides. "You've hurt innocent creatures. You've played with lives for money. That's not something you can just brush off."
"Money..." His eyes were distant. "The pain I'm in, money doesn't touch it." His gaze flicked back to me, desperate. "Help me get out of here. Please."
"You want our help now?" I asked, incredulous.
"Please," he begged, his voice cracking. "It hurts so much, I don't even care anymore. Just get me out."
I hesitated, looking at the broken man before me. The pain in his eyes was real, but so was the horror of what he'd done. I took a deep breath, weighing his plea against the balance of justice and mercy.
We stood there, the tension thick, when a rustling from the trees caught our attention. One by one, they emerged, their coats shimmering under the moonlight. Unicorns. Several of them, stepping into the clearing with an air of majesty that made my breath catch. I glanced at Beth and Wade, their expressions awash with awe.
"Look," Beth whispered. "They've come."
Wade nodded, his eyes softening as he stepped forward, raising his arms as if to embrace the creatures. Then, incredibly, he began to sing, his deep voice carrying a haunting melody that seemed to touch the very essence of the night. It was a song of the sea, of hidden depths and ancient secrets, yet it spoke to the woodland beings before us.
Beth joined in, her voice lighter, weaving around Wade's like vines around a sturdy tree. She sang of laughter and whispers, of the wind dancing through leaves, and the gentle caress of sunlight on the forest floor.
The unicorns gathered closer, their own voices rising in a chorus that wasn't words but pure emotion, thanking Beth and Wade for their kind deeds. I could feel their gratitude, a tangible warmth spreading through the cool night air.
Their music filled the clearing, wrapping around us, lifting us. Sparkles seemed to manifest out of thin air, dancing around us in a whirlwind of light. It was as if the stars themselves had descended to witness this moment, each twinkle a note in the symphony of thanksgiving.
"Beautiful," I murmured, unable to tear my gaze away from the spectacle.
Beth agreed, her eyes brimming with tears of joy.
We stood there, enveloped in the harmony, a testament to a world where wonders never ceased, where every sorrow was met with a moment of such beauty that it could heal the deepest of scars. For a brief time, everything else fell away, and there was only this: unity, peace, and a majestic serenity that would linger in our hearts forever.
Then, the unicorns surrounded the hole that Mestin was in. A white glow came, growing bright and brighter with each second that passed. Mestin began to scream, but I couldn’t see beyond the unicorns. Then, the unicorns sang a final goodbye, weaved with a thank you, and disappeared into the woods.
When we looked into the dark hole, Mestin held up his hands… or what should’ve been his hands. Instead, there were only stumps. The unicorns had, apparently, taken his hands like he’d taken their horns. It seemed only fitting, especially since that would only be the first step of his punishment.
"Help me,” he said.
Beth smiled, a dangerous smile. "The only person who’s going to help you is the sheriff, and he’s going to help you right into a cell.”
Daniel pulled out his phone and stepped away from us, no doubt to call the sheriff, and Wade wrapped Beth in his arms. They stood together, holding one another, and there was such a look of peace on their faces that it took my breath away. Their love of animals went beyond what most people could understand. They really were perfect for each other.
A moment later, Daniel returned. "The sheriff is on his way. I sent our coordinates and let him know what’s going on.”
"Thank you,” I said, then released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. "So, this is over? We’ve found who was killing the unicorns and who infected Nam and the others?”
Beth smiled, looking happy in Wade’s arms. "Yes, it’s done.”
I sagged. "Thank goodness!”
And everyone laughed. But I guess this is just another day for Karma.
TWENTY-TWO
