Page 63 of Tenebrous

So... now what?

Rotating in a slow circle, I immediately realize that I have absolutely no idea where I am. The forest stretches in every direction, trees so dense they swallow any hint of civilization. No roads, no trails or signs. Just miles upon miles of woodsy hills.

"Shit." My hand instinctively reaches for my pocket, but I freeze and release a dry laugh. Seriously, Benji. There's no fucking phone in there. These aren't even my pants.

And even if I had one, there probably wouldn't be any service this far deep in the woods.

Glancing behind me, I take in the dark tunnel opening hidden between boulders and brush. From here, it doesn't even look like an entrance. It could just as easily be mistaken for just another shadow beneath the mountain, some place no one would ever think to search.

He's still in there.

Probably curled up beside the fire, wondering why his mate left him⁠—

That thought punches the air from my lungs, and I tear my gaze away quickly. No. I can't keep doing this. Every time I think about him, it feels like someone's shoving a dagger beneath my ribs. I chose this. For both of us.

Now I have to live with it.

Drawing in a deep breath of mountain air, I square my shoulders and check the sun, remembering that it rises in the east and sets in the west. So which direction do I go? South, maybe, downslope? Or would Deadfall be north?

For all I know, I'm on the opposite side of the mountain from town. My monster carried me through those tunnels for god knows how long. Maybe even weeks. I don't even know anymore. I have no idea where he found me or how far underground I traveled before crawling out.

"Guess we're hoofing it," I mutter to myself.

Downhill seems like the safest bet. Water flows that way, and roads are usually built in valleys. At least, that's what I tell myself as I take a tentative step forward, my borrowed boots slipping in the mud. Every muscle aches, but I grit my teeth and keep moving.

Fir trees stretch toward the sky. Shafts of sunlight spill through their branches in shimmering columns and ferns blanket the ground. Somewhere in the distance, I hear the steady rush of running water and decide to make my way toward it.

Normally, I'd stop to appreciate the beauty of this place. Right now, though, all I can think about is how easy it would be to get lost here.

Or how easy it'd be for something to watch me without being seen.

That intrusive thought sends a chill skittering down my spine.

What the fuck? Who would be watching me other than Orion?

A prickling chill on the back of my neck makes me glance over my shoulder, but nothing catches my eye. Just trees. Miles of thick bark and orange leaves. The feeling doesn’t seem to shake, but I forge ahead anyway in case a bear or cougar has decided to make me lunch.

Would Orion save me if he heard my screams?

I wouldn't deserve it. I'd rather he let me die.

Ten minutes pass as I continue forward, maybe twenty. Time feels strange out here after so long underground. A wide, rushing river comes into view around the same time my legs start to feel weak, and I collapse onto the bank as sweat from the sun drenches my skin.

“Come on,” I mutter through gritted teeth, dunking my head into the icy river. “You can do this. You're almost…”

Almost what?

Safe? Home?

Impossible, because I left both back in that cave.

A broken sound leaves my throat, defeat washing over me. I don't know how long I kneel there with my hands submerged in the current, staring at my distorted reflection rippling across the surface. The man looking back is a stranger.

My curls hang in tangled knots around my face, dirt and dried blood streaking my skin. A beard shadows my jaw, thicker than I've ever let it grow, covering hollow cheeks.

I look… Wild.

Like I belong out here.