CHAPTER 196

"Has Bigfoot checked in?" he asked.

"No." Abella replied. "But I can explain to him what is happening when he returns."

"You aren't coming with us?"

She shook her head sadly. "What Emery has promised me will take many days. I do not move quickly, and will not be able to fight for you. Not this time."

"Besides that, we have a problem. Even with the barrier down, we've somehow managed to end up with no way to contact the others to have the rats chew us a portal." Dana pulled out her broken cellphone. "I could call Eulalie if we get our hands on a new phone, but that means heading into town. Then we'll have to find a phone place, and then hope she answers calls from unlisted numbers. Find somewhere good for the rats to chew a portal...shit, can they even do that if Reggie is trapped? Don't they need his permission?"

Quetzalli sighed and sat down at the table. "If you are planning on running off again, then I will just slow you down as well. This body is far too jiggly to run for long, and I hate all the sweat that comes along with it. Time is of the essence, and this is a wise decision."

Mike looked at Abella, and then Quetzalli. "Thank you for coming here with me," he told them. "The selfish part of me wishes you could come with us, but there are important things to do here as well. As for getting home, we'll figure something out, but it won't be by standing around here."

It was agreed that Quetzalli and Abella would assist Bigfoot in keeping Leeds locked away until he could return. Dana and Yuki got their stuff together and were waiting for him outside as he told the others goodbye. Emery seemed particularly choked up at his departure, but he promised the imp he would return.

When he hugged Abella, she surprised him with a small envelope. It was sealed shut and had Eulalie's name written on the outside.

"This is for her," she told him. "It's about her sister. Once I knew that I wouldn't be coming with you, I needed a way to get Eulalie a message. These are words that cannot wait for my return."

He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. "It must have been hard to write," he said.

She nodded. "It was. Now go. I have plenty to protect here without worrying about you." She wrapped an arm around his waist and pulled him in for a hard kiss, then hugged him hard enough that his back popped.

"Come back to me," she whispered. "Or I will make you regret it."

"I have no doubt," he replied with a smile.

Once outside, they ran toward the nearest clump of trees and came to a stop as Mike put his hand on the nearest one.

We need to go home, he thought toward the forest. Will you help me?

A portal appeared off to their left. He pulled the straps on his bag tight and they ran through it together. Animals on the other side led them through the woods for half an hour until they approached the next portal. The miles became easier as the snow disappeared, and Dana carried Yuki in her arms as they ran. Even in fox form, the kitsune had finally hit the wall for physical exhaustion and needed some help.

Several portals later, he stood on the edge of his property. He could feel the land beneath his feet, vibrating with energy and magic as he stepped off of it. They took a break while he drank some water and ate another can of soup. His arm throbbed with pain, but he did his best to ignore it.

"So where to from here?" Dana asked.

"I suppose we could hitch a ride to the nearest airport," he replied. "Maybe charter something private, I don't know." He looked back at the boundary and wiped some tears from his eyes. Only a few days ago, he had walked into that place a completely different person. In such a brief span of time, he had loved, lost, and walked the boundary of death itself. It had been a crucible of sorts, and he could only hope that he had come out strong enough for the trials yet ahead.

An owl hooted from a nearby tree. He turned his attention upward and was surprised to see a familiar face up in the branches. The spectral owl clicked her beak at him several times, and then Bigfoot emerged from the shadows beneath.

"The forest told me you were leaving." Bigfoot spoke softly as he approached Mike. "I would not see you leave without saying goodbye."

Mike nodded. "I would have waited for you, but the situation at home has taken a turn for the worse."

"You're a busy man, Caretaker." Bigfoot put his hand on Mike's shoulder. "Tell Eulalie that I'm sorry."

"The blame falls squarely on Leeds," Mike replied, his hand slipping into his pocket to squeeze the dog tags reassuringly. "His actions are not your failures."

Bigfoot licked his lips and nodded. "Then if nothing else, tell her that I'm sorry I could not be the one to tell her about her sister. The forest has done its best to imprison Leeds, but he still has allies among the forest children. I would not see him escape."

"Nor would I. Abella and Quetzalli have agreed to help, they're back at the cabin. When I'm done fixing things at home, I'll have the rats open a portal and come right back to help you figure out what to do with him." Mike narrowed his eyes. "I promise you that the punishment will be fitting."

"I would like that." Bigfoot stepped toward Dana and pulled her in for a big hug. "Make sure you get that to Eulalie," he told her.

"I think you broke a rib," Dana muttered from beneath his fur.

"That's why I gave it to you and not him. He looks too soft." Bigfoot winked at Mike, then put Dana down.