“Ahhhh hahaha!” I’m dying again.
Finally we get ourselves together enough to start walking.
But Marek halts. “I think we missed the turn again.”
I let out a little scream. “We’re doomed. Done for. The witch’s ghost is going to get us.”
He’s trying not to laugh again. “Calm down, Nik.”
I wrap my arms around his waist and hold on tight while he checks his phone again.
“Okay, yeah, just a bit back. We must have missed it because we were running.”
“Because we were scared shitless.”
“Speak for yourself.”
I become aware of soft snowflakes drifting down around us. Panic grips me like a hand around my windpipe and my arms tighten around him. “Noooo!”
“What?”
“It’s snowing!”
“It’s okay.” He rubs my back through my jacket. “It’s just a few flakes. Come on, diva. We got this.”
My heart stutters in my chest. I can’t help but think of the snow that fell in Berlin and the danger it brought. A whimper escapes me as we turn around and retrace our steps yet again, me staying as close to Marek as I can.
“Are we sure this is the right path?” I ask when we arrive at the intersection.
“Yeah. Look.” He points to the sign, another small wooden one that says Ridge Falls with an arrow. “So we go this way.”
I cross my arms. “I think we should go back to the falls.”
He frowns. “Why?”
“Because we know for sure we can get back that way. What if we go this way and it’s wrong, too?”
“It’s not wrong.” But doubt edges his voice.
I raise my eyebrows.
“This way is shorter,” he adds unconvincingly.
“Can you 100 percent guarantee that?”
“No.” He exhales and studies me. His face softens. “Fine. We’ll go back this way.”
I nod in satisfaction.
We trek in silence, thankfully not hearing any more ghosts. Or tiny horses. We soon reach the falls and I’m relieved, because there’s only one path back to the parking lot. I think…
“Is this the only way back?” I ask Marek.
“Yeah. Why?”
“Just checking.” I look over at him. “Don’t roll your eyes at me! I’m saving our lives.”
He shouts out a laugh, grabs me, and kisses my forehead. “You’re right. Sorry.”
