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,

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

we stole from their

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

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

exploiting

search mine, perhaps seeking reassurance,

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

just enough so you can practice for

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

precious fungi that could potentially change the tide in my quest to win

I pluck the first truffle from the ground and

suit, his own movements hesitant but growing steadier with

lump of dark truffles gathered at its

I pull the flap over and fasten it,

got enough,” I say, the words sticking in my throat. “Let’s get back to the car,

we’re caught.”

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

can see the sunlight through

morning, which will make

gather ourselves,

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

running, boots slipping on the wet rocks as

them, standing in a

see us, but that doesn’t stop them

guns.

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

fingers.

raise our hands, glancing at each other as one of the guards slowly and

closer. The moment stretches thin,

the moment snaps as Karl mutters,

the guard

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

sprint away.