4 Chapter 4

All I heard was a bird, but it sounded like it was calling my name. There weren’t any wild parrots around here, were there? I opened my eyes, which was a mistake, but my tears kept my eyes from getting completely ruined by the mud. There was a touch on my arm and a firm hand gripping my elbow, and I was pulled to my feet.

Behind me, a voice muttered, “That old man was right. It was so odd running into him out here like that. He pointed me toward this path and told me to go. I swear, when I looked back, there was nobody there. Maybe it was a bird?” Another arm snaking around my waist, and the voice was next to my ear. “Come on, this won’t do at all. I’m getting cold, and this is my best shirt. I’m not going back unless I take you with me.”