Emerald (The Protector) - undergoing editing

Chapter 8

They had to walk very fast to catch up to and keep up with Julian. He set a cracking pace. "Keep up girls, it will be dark soon and I want to put some distance between us and Peak Ridge."

As they walked, Julian told them a little bit about his childhood – growing up on a farm. He soon had them in fits of laughter as he related the story of how his fathers prized goats ended up in his mother's dining room, making a meal of her wicker chairs.

Even as she laughed, Sarah was aware that she was starting to feel very tired. She wasn't used to walking long distances and she had a feeling Emerald was feeling the same.

"Can we please stop and rest for a minute."

Julian looked back over his shoulder "Very well, but only for a minute."

Sarah sat herself down on a large boulder on the side of the road. "Oh, that's better."

Em handed her a flask of water and she gulped some down gratefully. She hadn't realized how thirsty she was.

"So, how much further?" she looked at Julian

"Well," he rubbed his jaw "Once we get to the fork in the road, we won't have to go too much further today as we should be safe by then."

"Fork in the road?" Emerald looked confused, "We didn't pass any fork."

"Maybe you just missed it. It's quite easy to miss if you don't know what you are looking for." He smiled at her "Wait and see what I mean."

Sarah could feel a slight chill to the air; the sun must be getting lower. "Time to move?" she looked at Em who nodded and they continued on down the road.

After walking for about half an hour, Julian suddenly pointed to a gnarled tree just ahead of them.

"That's the fork in the road."

Emerald stared at the tree "I can't see the fork Julian."

"It's there, come I'll show you."

He took her hand and led her to the base of the tree. "From here you can only see one track but," he led her round to the other side of the tree, "from here you can see the other."

"So that's why we didn't see it.' Sarah said "We walked right by this tree and had no idea another track led off in that direction."

"Where does it go?" Emerald looked at Julian

"It bypasses the town – takes a bit longer but given the circumstances, probably a lot safer for you."

"How does it bypass the town?"

"By going underneath."

"Oh, I don't think I like the sound of that."

"It's perfectly safe – I don't think too many people know about it so it doesn't get used very often."

"Maybe there is a different reason for it not being used." Em said quietly to Sarah

"Would you like me to come with you?' Julian offered. "I don't mind and I rather like having some company." He gave Sarah a wink.

She found herself blushing and had to look away.

"Oh no, we appreciate your showing us this way but you must be eager to continue on your own journey." Em smiled at him, "and we have held you up for long enough."

"I really don't mind, besides," he looked at the sky, "it will be dark soon and as I need to find shelter for the night, it might as well be in the tunnels."

"Tunnels – you mean there is more than one."

"Didn't I tell you – silly of me – yes there is more than one tunnel, so I had better come with you so I can show you the right one."