Usually, I’m able to walk closely behind. Today, I have to jog just to keep up with her. It doesn’t help that the only cardio I’ve been doing lately is chasing away the negative thoughts.
Holy shit, I’m out of shape.
Speed isn’t the only change. Adventure and curiosity show in her like never before. She wanted to take a new route. I’m so impressed by her newfound self-confidence—and focused on trying not to die from the workout she’s giving me—that I don’t notice where we are... until it’s too late.
We are too close to Bloodhound’s territory.
“Casey.”
I call her name calmly, trying not to frighten her.
But Casey keeps going.
I start to panic. “Casey, stop! Get back here.”
I can only yell so loud before I risk alerting them of our presence.
My stomach churns as their scent grows stronger.
With all my energy, my jog becomes a full-on sprint. I’m only getting glimpses of her before she’s gone again. The bright yellow fabric on her shirt is too easy to spot by Bloodhound. If they found her to be associated with me, we’re screwed. Not to mention, I know first-hand how easy it is to manipulate a child. Jeff may take credit for the kill, but the only one who believes him is Casey. One conversation with him, and it’s an immediate hard sell.
Snap!
The sound of a twig breaking catches my attention, and I take my eyes off Casey for one second to locate the source. That half-second all it takes for her to disappear entirely from my sight.
Now is not the time for hide and seek.
Seconds that feel like eternity tick past. I’m scanning the forest for her. My anxiety increases the longer I fail to locate her.
Please be okay,I pray to myself.
Her faint giggles echo through the trees.
Even though I don’t see her, I’m relieved.
Scouring the forest, I duck under branches and jump over fallen tree trunks to find her. My heart races when I hear voices shouting at each other.
Bloodhound.
They are behind me and not in front of me where Casey has to be.
My brain teeters between my effort to find her and worrying someone else will find her first.
I have to find Casey.
I call my wolf forward, just enough to help me sniff her out. My nose leads me to a small clearing. Tall trees surround me. But Casey’s scent is strong in every direction.
“Casey, where are you?” I whisper yell.
Spinning, I try to pinpoint a sound, movement, anything to help me identify a direction to go in. Rustling leaves catch my attention, followed by Casey’s giggle. In the bushes, between the leaves, I spot her bright yellow shirt, and she’s crouched.
“Jay, you found me!”
I hold one finger to my lips.
Footsteps grow near, and someone shouts in the distance.
“Did you hear that?” she asks.
