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

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

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

are so many, Karl,” I say, struggling with the conflicting emotions that are growing inside

chalk it up to animals or something. And

ones exploiting nature for

eyes search mine, perhaps seeking reassurance, perhaps questioning the fine

he nods. “Okay. Let’s do it. But like you said,

just enough so you can practice

beside the truffle patch. My satchel lies open

that could potentially change the tide in my

as I pluck the first truffle from

own movements hesitant but growing steadier

a lump of dark truffles gathered at its bottom like some

the flap over and fasten it, looking up to meet Karl’s

say, the words sticking in my throat.

we’re caught.”

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

can see the sunlight through

earlier this morning, which will make camouflaging ourselves a

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

through the cascade of water that covers the

rocks as we aim for

standing in a line like they’re part of some

to see us, but that doesn’t

guns.

them barks, his

fingers.

slowly raise our hands, glancing at each other

thin, and I feel

then, the moment snaps as

swift, almost practiced movement, he shoves the guard on the far right, throwing him off

faces a split second before they react, guns firing into the air

sprint away.