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,

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

they somehow found out that we stole from their

say, struggling with the conflicting emotions that are growing inside

just what we need, they could easily chalk it

ones exploiting

seeking reassurance, perhaps

he nods. “Okay. Let’s do

enough so you can

to work, we kneel back down beside the truffle patch. My satchel lies open

change the tide in my quest to

hands tremble slightly as I pluck the first truffle from the ground and

hesitant but growing steadier with each truffle he

a lump of dark truffles gathered at its bottom like some sort of

and fasten it, looking up

sticking in my throat. “Let’s get back

we’re caught.”

stopping a little while later

I can see the sunlight through the

which will make camouflaging ourselves a

no turning back now. We gather ourselves,

the cave’s hidden mouth, leaping through the cascade of water that

hit the ground running, boots slipping on the wet rocks as we aim for the path leading back to

three of them, standing in

committee. They’re just as shocked to see us,

guns.

in the air!” one of them barks, his eyes locking onto my

fingers.

and I slowly raise our hands, glancing at each other

making his way closer. The moment stretches thin, and I feel like

moment snaps as Karl

a swift, almost practiced movement, he shoves the guard on the far right,

on their faces a split second before they react, guns

sprint away.