Chapter 1077
"I think we should keep moving," Zoey said, standing up and brushing off her legs. "Rose and Grace have been gone too long."
The group followed the stream upward, the woods tightening around them as the slope grew steeper. Jude led, his hand on the hilt of the makeshift blade he carried now everywhere. The trees grew gnarled and twisted, their trunks scarred with strange markings, some like symbols, some like claws. None of it was comforting.
They reached the top of a rise where the stream cascaded down a sudden drop. Water splashed over the rocks and fell into a dark pool below. There was no sign of Rose or Grace.
Then Zoey gasped.
Near the edge of the cliff, where moss grew in thick green blankets, a trail of wet footprints shimmered. Small, bare feet. Leading off the edge.
"Rose?" Sophie called out, voice cracking slightly.
No response.
Zoey moved first, stepping toward the edge and peering down. "I see something," she said, pointing. "Down there, by the rocks. I think it’s Grace."
They all looked, hearts pounding.
A pale figure lay curled near the water’s edge, barely moving. Jude didn’t think. He leapt first, sliding down the side of the slope and crashing through the underbrush toward the base. The others followed, stumbling and slipping down the rough path.
When he reached the pool, Grace was awake, but dazed. Her eyes fluttered open as he reached for her.