Chasing His Kickass Luna Back by Jane Above Story

Abby

“Oh my go d, Abby… could it be?”

Karl’s eyes widen next to me. I crouch down to get a closer look at the dark mushrooms nestled in the dirt

at our feet.

“Yes,” I breathe, reaching out to run my finger along their tops. “This is it. Black truffles.”

This is exactly what we’ve been searching for, but something feels off, discordant in a way that pri cks at

my senses.

Karl crouches down beside me, his fingers gently touching the truffles. “They look genuine. But how is this

even possible? All these truffles growing this far from sunlight? I knew they needed low light, but this…”

Enter title…

His words are mirroring my thoughts exactly. “I don’t think they’re growing naturally,” I murmur, my eyes

scanning the cave, landing on something that makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I point

upwards, my finger shaking slightly. “Look.”

Karl’s eyes follow my finger to the ceiling of the cave. Artificial lights hang overhead. They’re turned off

right now, likely to simulate a day/night cycle for the mushrooms that are growing here. That’s why there

are so many mushrooms in this cave; they’re being cultivated.

“Oh, s hit,” Karl whispers, his voice tinged with disbelief and a hint of dread. “You don’t think—”

“That these truffles are being cultivated? By the poachers?” My heart sinks as I complete his thought. I

should have known sooner, but I guess it never occurred to me until just now. “Yeah. I do.”

Karl rises to his feet, his face flushed, his eyes widening. “So should we take any?” he asks, glancing

nervously. “I mean, what

question. We came here to pick mushrooms, not to steal from illegal poachers. Not

we stole from their

say, struggling with the conflicting emotions that are growing inside of

we need, they could easily chalk

ones exploiting nature for

reassurance, perhaps questioning

nods. “Okay. Let’s do it.

enough so you can practice for

truffle patch. My satchel lies open between us,

could potentially change the tide in my quest to

tremble slightly as I pluck the first truffle from the ground and place it into

his own movements hesitant but growing steadier with

is sufficiently filled, a lump of dark truffles gathered

over and fasten

words sticking in my throat. “Let’s get back to

we’re caught.”

stopping a little

by the waterfall. I can see the sunlight through the loud, rushing water now;

which will make

there’s no turning back now. We gather ourselves, I sling my satchel over my

leaping through the cascade

the ground running, boots slipping on the wet rocks as we aim for the path

see them: guards, three of them, standing in a line like

see us,

guns.

them barks, his eyes locking onto my mud-streaked

fingers.

our hands, glancing at each other as one of

The moment stretches thin, and I feel like I care barely

moment snaps as Karl

he shoves the guard on the far right, throwing him off

split second before they

sprint away.