Episode 95

I stopped chewing.

Damon stopped chewing.

Latifah gently set her cup down.

We all stared at James, waiting for him to go on.

We'd known that Evelyn had gone MIA for a while. At first it seemed like a cause for alarm, but we'd been informed that Evelyn sometimes went on nature retreats. Sometimes she'd disappear for months on end.

And since there was no evidence of a break in at her place, no signs of struggles or intruders around our lands, we were inclined to believe it.

Even at that, being so cool about her sudden disappearance didn't feel right. But I couldn't help it, nothing nagged at my mind, or anyone else's for that matter, that she was in danger.

And James' next words confirmed it.

"She returned last night." He continued. "The scouts saw her return to her cottage. She seemed unharmed."

I was relieved.

Evelyn was okay, she really did just leave on a retreat.

Maybe next time she should give us a warning though. She's been gone for quite a while, if it hadn't been for Rose, afte