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

mean,

mushrooms, not to steal

found out that we stole from

with the conflicting emotions

take just what we need, they could easily chalk it up to animals

ones exploiting nature for

perhaps seeking reassurance,

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

just enough so you can practice

down beside the truffle patch. My satchel lies open

fungi that could potentially change the tide in my

as I pluck the first truffle

suit, his own movements hesitant but growing steadier with

my satchel is sufficiently filled, a lump of dark truffles

the flap over and fasten it, looking up

sticking in my throat. “Let’s

we’re caught.”

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

can see the sunlight through the loud, rushing water now; it’s much

earlier this morning, which will make camouflaging ourselves a fair bit more

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

hidden mouth, leaping through the cascade of water that covers

wet rocks as we aim for

when we see them: guards, three of them, standing in a line like they’re part of some

committee. They’re just as shocked to see us, but that doesn’t stop them from

guns.

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

fingers.

hands, glancing at each other as one of

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

then, the moment snaps

the guard on the far right, throwing him off

surprise registers on their faces a split second before they react, guns firing into the air as we turn

sprint away.