THE LOST PIECE

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eached her, but it illuminated her tear-streaked face just enough. Her sobs grew softer as sh

His foot slipped, and with a slight grunt, he fell fo

he didn't seem startled. There was a brief pause before sh

anced at her with an almost bored expression. "I'm he

worry. "Wolves," she whispered, her eyes wide with fear as she looked a

t he wasn't about to admit that. "We can try to get out," he sa

uickly. "You can't do that!" she said, her voice a little higher

arms with a slight smirk, as if it were

, you can't. They're wolves, Tom! You can't beat them!" She paused, th

y, as if hunting for his weapon. "I'm sure I'll

ace. "You're so stubborn," she grumbled, pouting as sh

ugh he was simply stating the obvious

et. "I bet you couldn't even throw a rock far

ebrow at her. "I

back, sticking out her t

cally. "Well, I guess we'll

gaze to Tom, her curiosity getting the better of her. She couldn't help herself; she loved sec

voice soft, a little exc

on the dark woods ahead. Helen waited, her breath catching in her throat in anticipation. She h

ssion unreadable. "A secret?" he repeated, his voic

ing a bit. "I love secrets. It's fu

e the warmth in her eyes, the excitement she held for something so simple. A secret. It wa

e many secrets," he said, leaning back, "But... I

er eyes wide with interest. "Yes

g grand. Instead, he stared at her. Then, in a soft, seriou

n surprise. "You can... what?" she asked, her v

tle more for effect. "I can. And if I wante

ething in the way he said it made her feel like maybe, just maybe, he was telling th

d, leaning in closer,

oking pleased with he

er eyes sparkling with wonder. "

strange, rare moment for him-sharing something with som

sat up straighter, a sudden excitement in her voice. "Wait! If yo

blinked a few times, feeling a sudden rush of embarrass

ing onto his face. "Oh... yeah," he muttered, feeli

really make us float out of here?" Her voice held that hopeful innocence, her eye

re with small things, but this? This would be different. Still, he had to try. He stared at the dirt

sed harder, and the ground beneath him seemed to stir slightly. A soft pulse of m

h, watching Tom with

t an inch. Tom's face twisted in concentration, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead as he

under his breath, strugg

illed with excitement. "You're doi

started to float, giving them the ability to stand. The hole they were in slowly bega

pletely, his feet finally meeting solid ground again. He

she cheered, turning to him with a bright, gra

in his chest. Maybe it wasn't much, but in that moment, it f

er as they walked toward the group. They saw Mrs. Cole first, her face a mixture of panic

tion. And standing off to the side, a couple of police officers looked o

seemed far away. He was more concerned with the nagging sense that something about this situation

ractically leaped into her arms, explaining excitedly what had happened, her voice quick with exciteme

. People were asking Helen questions now, the adults talking over each other as they tried to get

, a tall man with sharp eyes, crouched down in front of Hele

way back. And then there was this big hole, and I got stuck in it.

ticing something in Tom's quiet demeanor. "You did good, kid," the offic

expected something more from him, but Tom just nodded and turned away

elling her everything was alright. She gave Tom a warm, almost relieved sm

the bus, Tom stood a little apart, stil

cheer. "You were amazing back there, Tom. I

red since he'd helped her. Instead, he gave a small nod, the edges of his m