"Watch out!"
The moment Kaelis shouted the warning to Ricardo's family, Ezra sensed it too.
A faint flash.
A small streak of light cutting through the air.
An arrow.
"Duck!" Ezra shouted as he ran forward, hoping to intercept it or knock it aside.
But Ricardo reacted quickly. He twisted his body and pulled his daughter down with him.
The arrow struck the ground just beside his foot.
"Oh my God," Lanie cried as she stumbled back.
Ricardo stared at the arrow buried in the dirt, his voice shaking. "Where did that come from?"
Ezra and Kaelis were already scanning their surroundings.
"Run," Kaelis ordered sharply. "Run now. Into the forest."
"We'll be right behind you."
"Inside the forest?" Ezra asked, confused. "Why inside—"
"Go!" Kaelis snapped.
Ricardo didn't question it. Neither did Lanie.
Each of them tightened their hold on their daughters and immediately started running.
Kaelis followed right after them.
