Ava trudged through the forest, her mind a tempest of frustration and confusion. Feeling isolated and ignored, she couldn't shake the feeling that something was terribly wrong. She had been right all along—something had indeed happened, yet no one had deemed it important enough to explain to her. The lack of transparency left her feeling vulnerable. If another emergency occurred, she still wouldn't know where to go or what to do. The thought was unnerving.
Her senses were on high alert as she navigated the dense foliage. The sense of being followed was unmistakable. Instinctively, she knew returning to the village would lead her pursuers straight to it. She needed to create a diversion.
Ava veered off the beaten path, pushing deeper into the forest. The trees grew closer together, making it difficult for anyone to follow her without making noise. Her heart raced as she increased her pace, hoping to throw off whoever was trailing her. The sound of footsteps grew closer, and she realized the pursuers were gaining on her. Panic surged as she reached a dead end—a thick, thorny bush blocked her way.
She hesitated, weighing her options. The two figures emerged from the trees, their presence unmistakable. They were close enough now for Ava to make out their faces—faces she recognized from the village but couldn't name. They called out to her, "Ava, Ava, are you okay?"
Confused and wary, Ava turned to face them. "What are you doing here?"
"We saw you running and decided to follow," one of them said, sounding slightly breathless. "But you didn't make it easy."
Something felt off about their explanation. Despite their apparent sincerity, Ava's instincts screamed at her to remain cautious. As she tried to figure out a way to shake them off, the bushes rustled, and Finn emerged, his presence commanding immediate attention.
"Let me handle this," Finn said, addressing the two boys. They exchanged a brief, uncertain glance before nodding and retreating. Finn's gentle smile seemed to offer a semblance of reassurance as he approached Ava.
"What are you doing here?" Ava demanded, her voice tinged with suspicion.
Finn stepped closer, his grin unwavering. "Those two signaled that there might be trouble, so I decided to check it out. Lucky for you, I did." He gestured to her arms, which were now smeared with blood and cuts. "You're not looking so great."
Ava looked down, her gaze falling on the scratches and blood marring her skin. She winced as Finn's hand touched her face, his fingers brushing against the blood on her cheek. "Let's get you cleaned up," he said, motioning toward the creek they had passed earlier.
Despite the calming effect of Finn's presence, Ava felt a surge of unease. She pulled back from his touch. "Are you controlling my emotions now?" she asked, her tone sharp.
Finn's expression shifted to one of surprise and hurt. "Are you feeling manipulated?" he asked, his voice laced with uncertainty.
Ava immediately regretted her accusatory tone. Finn seemed genuinely concerned, not malicious. Even if he wouldn't have any powers, his concern was soothing. She realized she was unsure of how to feel about his apparent sincerity. There was something deeply troubling about the situation—her feeling of betrayal, the sense of being watched, and now, Finn's sudden appearance.
Her mind raced with possibilities. If Finn had managed to guide her back to the village once before without trouble, it was plausible he had been sent for the same purpose now. Ava knew she had to leave, but she wasn't sure how to escape Finn or whoever else might be lurking in the woods.
"Finn," she said, stepping closer to him, "I know you wouldn't do that to me, not without my permission."
Finn looked at her, his eyes filled with doubt but also a flicker of understanding. Ava began to move toward the creek, but as she slipped on a branch, she stumbled. Finn's reflexes kicked in, and he caught her before she could fall. She looked up at him, offering a grateful smile.
"Let's head back," she said, trying to mask her inner turmoil. Finn gently took her by the arm.
"First, let's take care of those cuts," he said, guiding her toward the creek.
Ava's mind was a whirlwind of thoughts as she followed Finn. Despite her earlier fears and suspicions, the sense of relief from having someone by her side was undeniable. As they walked, she resolved to keep her guard up, knowing that the forest, much like her current situation, was filled with shadows and uncertainties.
