IRUBBED MYeyes and looked again. Was this some fae magic, like invisibility? Or would they reappear behind me?
Unsure what to do, I crept closer.
The base of the tree had a big gaping hole in the ground.
I ducked back.
So, that was where they’d gone.
Carefully, I circled the tree to make sure. No other tracks. They’d clearly stopped at that hole.
Once behind the tree where they couldn’t see, I snuck closer. My jacket swished softly despite my best efforts, so I moved even slower.
The hole was huge.
Multiple people could—and obviously had—fit inside.
Maybe they were tying up my family for ransom. Poor planning since we didn’t have any money, but my tired brain couldn’t think of any other rational explanation forsitting in a hole.
Quietly, I knelt by the base of the huge tree trunk, hoe held high, ready to whack whichever kidnapper reappeared first.
I held my breath and listened.
No one spoke.
I couldn’t even hear them breathing.
It must be a deep hole.
I waited.
Blowing out a shaky breath as quietly as possible, I tried to ignore the tingling in my toes as my foot fell asleep.
The sun dipped below the tree line, casting everything around me in a golden light.
I should at least hear shuffling down there, shouldn’t I?
Had the fae snuck back out already and I’d somehow missed them? Anxiety made it hard to breathe.
My other foot fell asleep too.
Dusk began to turn everything gray. In the gloom, I spotted the first star.
If I waited any longer, I’d have to fight them in the dark, which was the epitome of stupid.
Standing, I quietly shook my legs to get the feeling back into my toes.
Without any better options, I hoisted the hoe, preparing to swing. I could at least make them think I wasn’t alone. “Police! You’re surrounded!” I yelled in a deep voice. “Come out with your hands up or you’ll be shot!”
No response.
I’d probably pushed it with that last bit about shooting them. What kind of police officer would shoot into a group of hostages? I usually thought things through more.
