Solomon reacted to the noise before Layla had the chance to. He protectively pushed her behind himself and stood in a defensive position. Layla’s heart was racing uncontrollably. Layla internally kicked herself. She knew better than to have raced off into the woods without making sure she wasn’t being followed. The one time she slipped up, of course this would happen. Isn’t that how it always worked?

“What do you want?” Solomon shouted aggressively into the shadows. ...