Chapter 6
Kuri jumped into the nearest tree and darted off toward the camp. Rayne followed, sliding through the darkness without a sound to be heard.

Kuri saw Ami running around and she jumped down from her current tree. Ami jumped when she heard the noise and saw the flash of movement but calmed down when she saw it was just Kuri. Seeing how pale Ami was, Kuri picked her up and climbed up a nearby tree.

She started hopping toward the camp murmuring things like “It’s okay Ami, shush it’s okay nothing will hurt you now that I’m here. Shushhh.”

What Kuri didn’t know, is that there was something that would hurt them. Something very deadly and dangerous.

Rayne was following them in the trees and she froze, she saw it darting around the other side of the camp. –Holy grick one of them followed me. Or them, or all of us. Ugh I can’t believe this! It’s only been a day since I left the meadow and already one of these is on our trail? Thanks a lot universe.-

Rayne froze when she saw Kuri and Ami heading back toward the camp. She had to do something, had to get their attention before they did anything that they would regret before they died. Which would be soon if she didn’t do something about it!

So she started whispering (shouting) at them to turn around. Kuri’s ears pricked and Ami started poking her and pointing back the other way. So Kuri turned around and headed back to Rayne, hearing her sigh with relief.

“What’d you call us back for? Ami needs rest Rayne.” Kuri’s eyes narrowed and she glared at Rayne. Ami muttered something under her breath, she frowned and crossed her arms. Kuri hadn’t noticed because she was too busy glaring and Rayne and Rayne hadn’t noticed because she was too busy explaining why she’d called them back.

“Okay, the thing is there is a living shadow down there in the camp. If you two had gone there you would’ve been dead.” Rayne said, crossing her arms. Kuri put Ami down and then sat down on the branch she was on.

“I’ve heard of them, but I thought they were myths. Well not exactly myths but, I thought that they never bothered with such small matters or problems. . .” Kuri muttered, rubbing her temples with her forefingers. –This is so frustrating, what if Rayne is lying? Then she could lure us into a trap and chop our heads off. But what if she’s telling the truth? Then we’d have a warning, and still possible death.-

Ami shook her head at Kuri and poked her nose. “Don’t be all depressed.” Ami turned to Rayne.

“Is there anything we can do to kill it or scare it off?” She asked, and Rayne smiled. For some reason this smile made Ami shiver. It wasn’t an evil grin or anything, but it just frightened her. Shaking her head to rid herself of frightening thoughts, Ami took a deep breath. She looked up at Rayne again, waiting for an answer.

Rayne kept on smiling, “Ami, you seem to have an interest in potions correct?” She asked and Ami nodded, not sure why that mattered.

“Good, do you have your potion bag with you?” Rayne asked and again Ami nodded. Rayne held her hand out, and Ami put the bag in her hand. Rayne started sifting through the bag’s contents. Suddenly she pulled a small vile out and grinned in triumph.

“Delorin smoke! Highly toxic and deadly to living shadows, wow Ami you must be really good at ingredient hunting to own such an amazing and rare find!” Rayne said, patting Ami on the shoulder appreciatively.

Ami blushed and stood up. “Thanks, and what are you going to do with the delorin smoke?” She asked and Rayne answered her by darting toward the camp. Kuri grabbed Ami’s hand and tugged her along after Rayne.

They saw Rayne jump out of a tree and land in the middle of the camp. A creature stood across from her, it seemed to suck all nearby light into itself, yet it wasn’t all dark but more of a see through shadow.
Kuri and Ami watched while the creature began to glide toward Rayne. Ami held back a panicked scream. Rayne smiled at it, an almost crazed sort of smile. Now Ami understood why it had scared her earlier.

“Hello there, would you care for a smoke?” Rayne asked the strange being, and it paused seemingly curious or confused.

Rayne held out the vile full of delorin smoke. “My friends wanted me to give you a present, I hope you enjoy it as long as you are able. Sadly, this present will be cutting that time short.” She threw the little bottle and the living shadow’s feet. An explosion of blue smoke erupted from where it hit, and the monster emitted an ear piercing screech before turning into vapor and fading into the night sky.

Kuri and Ami jumped out of the tree, and turned to Rayne. “You better help me get more of that smoke, it’s very useful you know.” Ami said, and Kuri and Rayne laughed.