The nodded in unison and turned sharp, marching to their posts within the castle walls.
She took my hand, her quivering fingers betraying the display of strength and control she put on for everyone else. “Now, we should split up. You take half the guards and head towards the center of town and I’ll take the rest towards the forest and the outskirts of the city. I think he’ll try to avoid a scene so I doubt you’ll come across him. If you see anything, send someone for me.”
“Are you sure this is safe for you to be chasing after a beast?”
“Probably not, but I won’t let anyone else handle something this important.” She gripped tighter. “He’s my heart, Fallon. I can’t let just anyone take care of it.”
I hugged her, giving her a second to compose herself before leading her army into the unknown. “Don’t worry, Mom. We’ll find him.”
She raised a hand above her head and pointed toward the thick trees leading up the mountain range. The guards fell in line and followed her out, the rest staying back waiting for my instructions.
I jumped up on the edge of a fountain and scanned the guards’ faces. Every one of them hung on my words. Every one of them willing to go into battle for me and my family. If only they knew the real truth, would they still be so honorable? However, this wasn’t the time to cast doubt in their calling.
“Search every place, no matter if you think you won’t find him,” I called out to my team. “And try to avoid alarming the civilians. They are not to know what we are looking for.”
“Yes, sir.” They bellowed in unison.
I jerked my head toward the city and crested the golden bridge to Mosa, wishing with every ounce of strength I had that we weren’t the ones to find him.
The sun beat down on my back, my shirt clinging to my chest as I searched every back alley and public place in all of Mosa. The people stared, but I didn’t care. They didn’t know they were all in danger, and I needed to keep it that way until we found my father. If we found my father.
I wiped my sleeve across my brow, the salty taste of sweat on my lips. We’d turned over every inch of this city, and hadn’t uncovered one clue as to where my father might be hiding. Mom was likely right, he’d avoid the crowded streets and head for the cover of the trees. Maybe she was having better luck.
I pushed my way between two buildings into a small secluded courtyard but found nothing. The light didn’t penetrate the high walls of the Mosa buildings back here and the shadows hung long and dark upon the walls. I fell against the cool brick wall and let the darkness soothe the burn in my skin. This mission started to seem hopeless.
A hand grabbed my arm and I jumped as my pulse quickened.
“Sorry, sir.” The guard let go of my arm and put his hands behind his back, widening his stance at attention. “We’ve finished sweeping the north side of the city, sir. No sign of the king.”
“Thank you. I’m starting to think we won’t be the ones to find him.”
“Keep strong, sir.”
I patted him on the shoulder. A good soldier.
“Tell your men to do one last look in the south then head back to the castle. I’ll have the cook prepare something special for your efforts.”
“Of course, sir.”
So this was it. We’d searched everywhere and he’d just disappeared. Maybe he didn’t want to be found? Maybe somewhere deep down he understood what he’d become, even if he wasn’t able to communicate it back? If it had happened to me, I don’t know what I’d do. Would I run too? Or would I just hide like a coward waiting for it all to be over?
A single scream ripped through the sky. I jerked my head in its direction and slid back out of the courtyard into the street. People rushed toward us, clambering up the hill as fast as they could.
More screams echoed, bouncing between the buildings. I closed my eyes and listened for the source. They seemed to be coming from the center of the city. The market. No. Too many people who could get hurt. Too many people who might see my father for what he’d become.
“The market. Go. Now.”
I thrust my arm down the main street and the guards rushed past me, swords drawn and prepared to fight. I chased downhill after them, citizens running against us, like salmon swimming upstream. Their shrieks resounded in my head as they ran. Windows and doors shuttered around us. Children were yanked from the streets, their parents shielding their eyes to avoid the horror.
Grrr!
A loud growl pierced through the crowd. My legs pushed harder, faster, trying to get to my father before he caused any damage.
I reached the market. Dad stood in the center of the square, his arms outstretched to the sky, with a row of guards surrounding him a circle. Citizens hid behind the market stalls and watched the drama unfold. My father reared his head back and let out a guttural roar. The guards shuddered then doubled down for an attack.
At the far end of the circle, one of the guards took charge. He pulled his sword back behind his shoulder and yelled, charging toward my father. My stomach clenched, bile burning its way up my throat. He wasn’t just some monster to slay. Somewhere in there was my father.
“Stop!” I shouted as I lurched forward past the line of guards, but my warning came too late.
The guard swung the sword at my father. He dodged,
