“She did,” Cole said, panting. “It was some kind of explosion. We’re not sure what.”

Solomon coughed out some of the dust he had swallowed. “Whatever it was, it’s not good. Mailee must he told.”

“I already know,” Mailee said coming from behind them.

All four of them stared in wonder. Cole and Solomon rose to attention. Their young leader Mailee looked worried as she stared off beyond them through the trees to the mists of red smoke.

“We should move on,” Pratt said.

“No,” Mailee said. “We stay.”

“But if we stay…”

“I know the risks, Pratt, but if we run whoever caused that explosion will hunt us down. They know we’re here.”

“Then let them hunt us,” Cole shouted in panic. “If we keep going at least we’ll be alive.”

“Cole, calm down,” Pratt said. “Mailee is our leader, and she knows what she’s doing.”

“Listen to her,” Saphron put in.

“We can’t go,” Mailee said. “For some reason we have been called here. I have to learn why.”

“Will you consult the Omni?” Saphron asked.

“Yes, I will find the answer. Until then I wish not to be disturbed.”

Mailee retired to the solitude of her tent. As every member of her tribe knew, there was no sense in arguing with Mailee. All waited patiently but Mailee never emerged. Peter went to investigate and found Mailee gone. He looked down to see his tattoo was burning. He looked to the woods. An eerie feeling came over him. The feeling became darker as he entered the woods.

“Mailee,” he shouted. “Please, answer me. I know you’re here.”

A rustling came from a nearby tree. He walked over to it as a woman plummeted down from it.

“Peter, how is it you always find me?”

“It is my talent. I am bonded to you. Remember?”

“Yes, I remember, so why did you follow me?”

“I didn’t really follow you. I only sensed you. I know what you’re thinking of doing, but I can’t let you.”

Mailee walked deeper into the woods. Peter followed her. She looked back at him. At that moment she stopped. “You don’t have a choice. I’m going on.”

“Not alone you’re not. If you insist on being reckless you will have to have a partner.”

Mailee knew she couldn’t talk him out of it, so she complied. They walked deeper into the woods and further into the unknown.