Smalls made it back to the others by sundown. He was sweating and exhausted and didn’t know what to tell Emma and Heather.

“Smalls your back,”Emma said! She ran over and hugged him. Heather was cradling Molly who was fast asleep and smiled at Smalls.

Smalls was surprised because even if he had only been away for a day he had missed Heather a lot and he didn’t know what to do with this because now was not the time to like someone who probably didn’t like him back. 

A small fire was crackling in the middle of the clearing and all the kids were sleeping soundly close to the warm fingers that reached up as close as they could to the bright stars in the cool night sky.

Emma led Smalls to a log near to the fire and gave him a few red berries which Smalls' guest had…

Emma hugged Smalls and said goodbye quickly. Smalls and Heather locked eyes but she looked away quickly. 

Smalls and Heather had become good friends in the past four days and it was sad to leave Emma and Heather. 

Smalls had known Heyna since he was young because their parents were good friends.

Smalls followed Naylen deeper into the forest. It was getting dark quickly and the sun was disappearing. Shadows began to form and the birds were saying their goodnights to one another.

 Naylen was walking quickly and he almost tripped on a root but caught himself before he toppled over.”

It's getting too dark. We might need to camp until morning. 

The kids walked to the Joveson's house and when they walked in they went straight for their mothers work room. When they walked in Lady Glen was gone and they searched the whole house. 

Day after day the kids traveled to each one of their homes and no one was home. 

“First the school teachers and now the parents,”Emma said with a sigh.

“Maybe they just went looking for us,”Molly said. 

Molly had grown very fond of Heather and never left her side and most of the time was in her arms.

Heather had tears in her eyes but she replied kindly and she sounded happy.”Maybe Molly but we aren't sure yet. 

Part Five: An Advancing Shadow

Walter had failed to get his father to do anything about the wolves. He had failed to convince his father that an attack on the city was inevitable. He had failed to help the afflicted rabbits of his kingdom. He had failed again and again with no solution being proposed. There was nothing he could do, because he had failed.

After finally washing up and addressing his wound Prince Walter went to sit on the balcony looking over the city. He needed time to think. He had been sitting there awhile, deep in the pit of thought, when something made him almost jump out of his fur. A white hand had touched his shoulder. Walter jumped up and the embarrassed doe smiled shyly and looked at her toes. He liked that smile.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you, your highness.” Junafur said.

“It’s totally…