Mira ran out of the dense line of trees, her paws kicking up clumps of forest mulch as she slowed to a jog and finally shifted, sweat dripping down her bare skin, they cooled and dried as they met the crisp night air. She stretched once, rolled her shoulders, and made her way toward the colorful picnic blanket where her friends sat.
But something was off.
The moment she approached, she noticed it. The girls who were usually all giggles and banter looked tense. Fidgeting. Whispering. Unease practically rolled off them in waves.
"Okay, what's going on?" Mira asked, grabbing the simple shift dress one of her friends extended to her and slipping it on as she eyed them.
Annie chewed her lip. "It's Elisa."
"She has gone too long."
"She said she was going for a walk like 4 hours ago and j hasn't been back since," another added.
Mira blinked. "She has been gone that long?" She paused and shrugged, "maybe she found a clearing to rest or some people to play with."
