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 if

to pick mushrooms,

somehow found out that we stole from their stash, what would be the

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

take just what we need, they could easily chalk

ones exploiting

reassurance, perhaps questioning the fine line we’re

Let’s do it. But like you said, we’ll

so you can practice for the

kneel back down beside the truffle patch. My satchel lies open

that could potentially change the tide in my quest

hands tremble slightly as I pluck the first truffle from

hesitant but growing steadier with each truffle he

dark truffles gathered at its bottom like some

flap over and fasten it, looking up to

the words sticking in my

we’re caught.”

silence back the way we came, finally stopping a little while later at the

by the waterfall. I can see the sunlight through

was earlier this morning, which will

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

mouth, leaping through the cascade of

boots slipping on the wet rocks as we aim for the path leading back to the

standing in a line like they’re

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

guns.

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

fingers.

glancing at each other as one of the

moment stretches thin, and I feel like I care barely

then, the moment snaps as Karl

practiced movement, he shoves the guard on the far right, throwing

they react, guns firing into the air

sprint away.