Night fell, and I pulled off my cloak, ready to begin the search for my family. The path ahead led straight through the forest.
If I remembered correctly, traveling from Ambrose to Eldoria on foot with no powers or transportation would take about five days. The good news was that I could survive without blood for months. I should be fine… at least until my body begins to fail me.
The ground was soft and muddy beneath my boots as I stepped into the forest. The darkness here was darker than the night sky itself. Bugs crawled through the underbush, and crickets chirped somewhere in the distance. Oddly enough, the sounds of nature brought me comfort.
But the bad news… to reach Eldoria, I first had to pass through Lunaris which meant crossing paths with those disgusting beasts.
"If Britney and the others are still around," I muttered, "then I'm sure the wolves are too. I'll be ready for them."
They weren't like the shadows that vanished mid fight. Wolves bled. Wolves fell.
Even without my powers, I still know how to fight.
I continued onward, but my foot slipped, sending me face first into the mud. I groaned, spitting out dirt. "Ugh, seriously?!"
The rain from last night had left the ground soaked. I wiped my clothes and smeared the mud off my face.
"I will find you," I whispered, repeating the words like a prayer.
"I will do whatever it takes to find you."
Being alone is my greatest fear. The shadows were right about that. But I couldn't let fear stop me now. Lily and Levi needed to know that their big sister would never give up on them.
A cool wind blew through the trees, rustling the vines above. Then, faintly in the distance, I saw flickers of golden light fireflies.
"Beautiful," I breathed, smiling softly.
I watched them dance in the air until their glow faded into the forest night. Somehow, that small bit of beauty gave me strength to keep going.
Two days to Lunaris. Three more to Eldoria.
"I hope my cousins are okay… Bruno, Destiny, everyone please hang on."
After walking for what felt like hours, I leaned back against a tree, sliding down to sit on the dirt floor. My body ached, and exhaustion pressed down like a weight. I haven't slept since yesterday… refuse to, actually.
If I let my guard down, something could happen.
"Come on, Lyra," I whispered to myself. "Don't let sleep get in the way of what's important."
I forced myself up, legs shaking but determined.
"I'd rather lose sleep than stop now."
The forest stretched endlessly before me, silent, shadowed, and full of unknown dangers. Still, I pressed forward.
"Mom… Dad… everyone… please wait for me," I whispered into the darkness.
"I'm coming for you. I promise."