Stampede of Shadows(3)

Milo's eyes were wide, his usual steady composure shaken as he struggled to even his breaths, completely spent from the relentless sprint through the forest. He looked up, only to find Nessa looking down at him, her mind raced, sure that she recognized him from somewhere. She looked to his side and saw Linn, then looked up, shifting her gaze to Aria who was still staring into the cloud of dust, trying to make sense of what had just come crashing down before them.

She thought hard about where she had seen them before, then she heard the girl speak.

"What... what was that?"

A glint of recognition sparked in her eyes.

"Aria?" Nessa called out.

Aria turned, her eyes narrowing. Then, just like Nessa, recognition flickered in her gaze.

"Wait a minute. I've seen her before… with Victor… the day we entered the forest."

"So it is you," Nessa said her tone sharper, more certain now.