Page 37 of Tharn's Hunt
But he doesn't stop. Doesn't even slow down. His eyes remain fixed ahead, locked onto a series of flat-topped rocks ahead.
And then, without warning, his knees buckle.
We go down hard, but he somehow manages to twist his body so that he takes the brunt of the impact. Sand flies up around usas we hit the ground, his arms still locked protectively around me, even as his chest heaves with labored breaths.
"Goldilocks!" I scramble out of his grip, kneeling beside him in the sand. "Hey, hey, look at me."
His eyes find mine, pain clear in their amber depths. He tries to sit up, but his arms shake too badly to support his weight. He collapses back onto the sand, a frustrated growl rumbling in his chest.
"Stop," I command, pressing a hand to his uninjured shoulder. "Just... stop. Rest."
He grunts, gesturing weakly toward a point in the distance. I follow his gaze, squinting against the setting sun. There, the rocks that form a plateau. A cave, maybe. Shelter. About the length of a football field away.
"Is that where we're headed?" I ask, pointing toward it. "That cave?"
He grunts, then he tries to rise again, determination etched into every line of his face.
"Oh no, you don't," I say, pushing him back down. "You're staying right here. I'll go."
For a second, it’s clear he doesn’t understand. Not until I turn in the direction I need to go.
Goldi’s eyes widen, alarm filling their depths. He grabs my wrist, a growl in his throat.
"Look," I say, meeting his gaze. "You're in no condition to walk. Let alone carry me. I'm feeling better, and that cave isn't far. I can make it."
He growls a warning and his grip on my wrist tightens enough to make his point clear.Don't go.
"I have to," I insist, trying to pry his fingers loose. "If there are more of those plants you need, I can bring them back."
His expression darkens. He points to the sand around us, then makes a slithering motion with his free hand. Danger. There's danger out there.
"I know," I say softly. "But we have no choice. You can't make it, and we can't stay here in the open."
For a long moment, we just stare at each other, locked in a silent battle of wills. Then, slowly, reluctantly, his grip on my wrist loosens.
"Thank you," I murmur, giving his hand a gentle squeeze before pulling away. "I'll be careful. I promise."
I push myself to my feet, swaying slightly as my legs adjust to bearing weight again. The world tilts briefly before steadying, and I take a tentative step forward. Then another. My muscles ache, protesting after so long being carried, but they hold.
"I'll be right back," I tell him, trying to project a confidence I don't feel. "Just... stay alive, okay?"
He watches me with those intense amber eyes, his chest rising and falling in rapid, shallow breaths. When I turn to go, he makes a sound—half growl, half whimper—that tears at something in my chest.
But I force myself to keep walking. One foot in front of the other. Sand shifts beneath my boots, making each step a challenge, but I push on. The rocks grow slowly larger in my vision, a dark smudge against the orange-tinged sky.
Behind me, I hear movement. I glance back to see Goldi attempting to follow, dragging himself across the sand with dogged determination. He makes it barely a meter before collapsing again, one hand clutching at his chest as if in pain.
And strangely, impossibly, I feel an answering twinge in my chest. A phantom ache that has no business being there.
I almost turn back. Almost. But the darkening sky and the memory of those shadow creatures keep me moving forward. Weneed shelter. We need those plants. And Goldi can't get them himself.
So I steel my nerves and continue, even though, ridiculously and nonsensically, each step feels like I'm leaving a part of myself behind. Each meter of distance between us makes that phantom ache in my chest grow stronger, a dull throb that matches the desperate look in his eyes as I walk away.
By the time I reach the rocks surrounding the cave, my legs are trembling with exhaustion, and sweat drenches my clothes despite the cooling air. I pause, catching my breath before venturing closer.
The cave mouth is smaller than I expected, barely large enough for someone Goldi’s size to squeeze through. But that's good. It means the shadow creatures will have a harder time getting in, too.
I approach cautiously, alert for any signs of creatures already claiming the space. Because, as I have been reminded time and time again now, this desert is alive. But the area seems deserted, quiet except for the soft whisper of wind across sand.
