“What was that?” I whisper, clinging to the handle of my new dagger.
“Shh.” Rynthea steps past me and sniffs the air. Narrowing her eyes, she peers into the darkness, searching for the culprit. The cry pierces the silence again, sounding much closer this time. It’s coming from the darkest path.
“Please,” a small voice whimpers. “I need your help. I have—I have been badly hurt. Someone, please help me. I am begging you.”
My heart drops. I know that voice. I turn to Algar. “That sounds like Dulan.”
His eyebrows bunch together. “Impossible. Dulan died. We saw him go down right in front of us.”
“Yes, we saw him go down, but that doesn’t mean he died. He could’ve survived and now he’s on the run.” I turn to face the dark path again.
“Quinlocke, what you hear isn’t real,” Thane warns as gently as he can. “That’s a trick of the forest. Don’t fall for it.”
“How can it be a trick? That soundsjustlike him.”
“He’s right, Zaira.” Rynthea’s eyes stretch wider as she shakes her head. “We should keep moving. That isn’t whoever you think it is.”
“Please help me. I will bleed to death. I—I just need help,please. I ran away from the guards. I held on for my nan because she needs me. I am wounded very badly.Please, Zaira. Help me.”
Hearing him say my name sends a burst of cold through my veins.
And then I see something deep in the forest. A murky light growing brighter…and within it, a silhouette of a person stumbling toward us.
“Dulan,” I whisper.
“Thatisn’thim.” Thane says the words through gritted teeth.
“It is him, Thane!” I look at Algar, whose eyes are swimming with apprehension and confusion. “We have to save him, Algar! He tried to help us!”
Algar puts his focus on Thane and Rynthea, who shake their heads at him in unison. “Zaira, we have to keep walking. If thatishim, he’ll find Winstoft and someone will assist him there.” Algar grabs my shoulder, but I shake out of his grasp.
“Zaira, look at me.” Hearing Thane say my first name again steals my attention away from the silhouette. He hardly ever says my first name unless he’s serious—or taking me seriously. I look into his eyes, my heart rapidly beating. “This is not the time for saving people, do you hear me? You must let that part of you go during this journey. Not everyone can be saved.Trustme.”
My eyes burn with tears. I glance over again. The silhouette is closer now. Thane is right, but why can’t I move? My eyes are locked on that dark outline—on Dulan limping toward us. His pleas for help eat at my heart. All I can think about are the children at the refugee center. The cries for their parents in the middle of the night. A new child joining the center with trauma pouring off them in waves. The horrors they likely witnessed just to escape. Survivor’s guilt as they grew into teens and then adults…just like me.
My homeland—Ember Coast—was attacked by Ruvainers. We were victims of their madness, abuse, and anger. We only escaped because there was someone out there willing to help us.
I was lucky to find a new home in Meriva, despite being a refugee child. Not everyone gets that chance—especially innocent Ruvainers like Dulan. It will only take a few seconds to grab him and get back on the middle path. Only a few.
As my thoughts race, I feel a clench in my stomach. Something changes. I can feel it. It tugs at every sense and nerve, luring me toward the path to the right, sucking me in like a vortex. There is no resisting it.
Save him. You have to at least try.The whispers enter my mind and tickle my brain.
Before I know it, I’m running toward Dulan.
Thane shouts my name as he chases after me. I run faster.
“Zaira, stop!” he shouts.
The warm light burns brighter, and the silhouette grows in size. Dulan’s pleading voice becomes closer. I hear water sloshing and gurgling in the distance. The scent of wet wood along with a rancid smell is strong enough to make me gag, but still, I don’t stop.
Actually, no. Ican’tstop. Not until I realize Dulan’s silhouette isn’t forming into a person. It remains as just that. A dark figment of him. Ashadow.
Something isn’t right.
And then I wonder…
If Dulan escaped, why would he be here? Why would he not stop somewhere closer and ask for help? Why…
