“Alright kid, we need to get going before the wolves find us.” I chuckle to myself. I stood up, cracking my back a bit. A moment passes, waiting for Cade to respond. “Kid?” I said, slower this time as I looked around.

Cade wasn’t around the camp, nowhere in sight. “Kid?!” I yell. I waited for a moment when there was no response. I felt my breath being stolen from my lungs, my heart racing, and there was only silence. 

I try to calm myself, but I can’t breathe. I am alone again… this doesn’t feel right… Cade never wandered far… I need to find time. They are dead.

No. No, they aren’t dead. I swore I would keep them safe… I need to calm down and rationalize this… I just need to track them down… 

I forced myself to take a deep breath as I studied the ground. I look for any tracks to show which way Cade went. After several minutes of calming myself, I finally saw light shoe prints leaving the camp.

I followed the trail in the direction that Cade went. They were safe… they had to be… I got to clearing and immediately my breath hitched. There clearly was a struggle that happened here. I search for any sign of blood.

This is all my fault… they are dead because of me… they didn’t deserve this. Cade was a good kid. They could have the best bakery in the kingdom… now it’s my fault they are dead-

A shaky laugh left my mouth, a silent thanks as I see there is no blood. But there was a struggle… not just one person, but two… 

My blood began to boil as I stood up tall. I look at the trail they were taken down. “I swear to the goddess of life… if Cade is hurting any way- no. if anyone hurt my kid, I will fucking deliver them to the hell realm personally,” I growled. 

I walked the trail, preparing to add to my kill list. Somewhere in my brain, I knew I viewed Cade as my kid… maybe it was the day I saved them from their bakery. I won’t let myself once again… be late to save my family.