Chapter 42 Kidnapped

(Iris)

The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the dense forest, dappling the ground with specks of light that barely penetrated the thick canopy above. I crept forward cautiously, my breath shallow and heart racing.

Jasper moved silently beside me, his eyes darting nervously at every rustle of leaves. The forest was eerily silent, as if holding its breath.

Suddenly a voice cut through the stillness, deep and commanding. “Spread out! They couldn't have gotten far!”

My blood ran cold as I recognized the man leading the search party: Xander. He was a tall, imposing figure with sharp features and a reputation for being relentless. Panic surged through me and I grabbed Jasper’s arm, pulling him towards a bush nearby. The bush had very smelly berries and the pungent odor made my nose wrinkle, but it was our best chance to hide from the keen noses of the search dogs.

We crouched low, the foliage barely concealing us as Xander’s voice grew louder. My heart pounded in my ears, an